Long Term Causes of CCW

Socioeconomic factors

1900s Manchu dynasty mainly peasants; life difficult with poverty, taxes, famine, little land due to 8% population growth but only 1% land increase; increased famines, high rent, unemployment from Western imports and tech

Political weakness & foreign influence

European imperialism humiliated China; Opium War defeat → spheres of influence; unequal treaties; foreign courts; missionaries; corruption weakened tax system; Taiping Rebellion weakened central power, leading to Warlord Era

Self-Strengthening Movement

Chinese intellectuals tried to modernize and resist Western control, but divided ideas and Manchu resistance led to failure and continued Western dominance

Sino-Japanese War defeat (1895)

China’s loss brought humiliation and land loss, showing weakness to neighbors

Russo-Japanese War (1904-05)

Loss of more territory to Japan, increasing national humiliation

Boxer Rebellion (1899)

Anti-Western violent revolt failed due to poor arms; increased foreign intervention and showed weakness

Fall of the Manchu Dynasty

Corruption and deterioration led to ideas of ending dynasty to modernize China and adopt democracy

Yuan Shikai’s rule (1912-25)

Military dictator after fall of Manchus; Sun Yat-sen forms GMD in 1912 to promote parliamentary politics