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Decolonization in China Notes

China in Early 20th Century

  • Traditional Chinese society was characterized by:
    • Rule by aristocrats (mandarins) and a landed elite.
    • A large, impoverished peasant population.
    • Weakness and victimization by Western imperialism.
    • Christian missionaries, which sparked patriotic backlash, such as the Boxer Rebellion (1899-1901).
      • The Boxer Rebellion was suppressed by Western armies, which propped up the imperial government.
    • Young, educated nationalists began to emerge within the army.

Sun Yat Sen and Chinese Nationalism

  • Sun Yat Sen (1866-1925):
    • Born into peasantry, educated in Hawaii and Hong Kong.
    • Dedicated to revolution and establishing a liberal republic.
    • Developed a secret society and attracted young army officers.
  • October 1911: Revolt in southern China, establishing Nanking as the revolutionary capital.
    • Sun Yat Sen was elected President.
  • General Yuan Shikai seized power in the north.
    • Sun Yat Sen resigned, and Yuan Shikai agreed to support a new republic as President in 1912.
    • Warlords and the landed elite raised their own armies.

The Interwar Period

  • Overall, a period of chaos and uncertainty.
  • 1916: Yuan Shikai died.
  • Sun Yat Sen established the Nationalist Party, maintaining the loyalty of nationalists dedicated to the republic.
  • 1920s: Riots, chaos, and massacres occurred.
  • 1921: The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) formed, led by Mao Zedong.
    • Committed to Marxist principles; considered the "True party of the people."
  • 1920s-1930s: Nationalists, led by Chiang Kai-shek, warred with Communists.
  • 1931: Japanese seized Manchuria.
  • 1937: Full-scale invasion by the Japanese; Nationalists and Communists confronted foreign invaders.

Chinese Civil War (1937-1949)

  • Three-way struggle between Nationalists, Communists, and Japanese for control of China.
  • By 1945, Nationalists lost popular support due to:
    • Collaboration with the Japanese.
    • Growing hatred toward landowners.
  • Communists promised land reform and redistribution.
  • 1949: Mao Zedong proclaimed the People’s Republic of China.
  • Chiang Kai-shek fled to Taiwan, forming a Nationalist Chinese government.
    • Received U.S. recognition and support.

Chinese Revolution: 1900-1945

  • Traditional society beset by foreign imperialism, a growing middle class, and peasant poverty.
  • Liberals and radicals attacked these problems, leading to war with each other.
  • Nationalism driven by antagonism toward outsiders but employing outside concepts.

The New Regime

  • China in 1949-53: mixed economy, large landless peasant class
  • Two plans:
    • “Experts”: centralized command, moderation in reforms, pragmatism, emphasis on expertise
    • “Reds”: ideological purity, class struggle, idealism and enthusiasm for equality
    • “Experts” wield control initially.
  • 1953-1957:
    • Use of bureaucracy.
    • Soviet-style 5-year plans.
    • Emphasis on heavy industry and small, communal farms.
  • Reds wield control: 1958-1962: “Great Leap Forward”
    • Decentralized industry, huge agrarian communities.
    • The Reds’ efforts resulted in a huge failure marked by massive famine and no industrial growth.
  • 1962: The “experts” return to power.

The Cultural Revolution

  • 1965-1974: Initiated by Mao Zedong in 1965 against “experts”.
  • Campaign against capitalism, bureaucracy, and hierarchy in the Chinese state.
    • Aimed to consolidate control of Mao.
  • Employed the Red Guard against enemies of the state.
  • Sought to purge China of its traditions in culture, religion, and art.
  • War against foreign pollution of revolutionary ethic.
  • Created a Cult of Mao with the "Little Red Book".
  • 1970-1974: Winds down due to economic collapse.
  • Restores “experts”.

The Contemporary Era

  • Since 1972, relations with the United States have evolved.
  • Since 1980, China has been led by “experts” focused on pragmatic, economic policy.
  • Economic policies now permit some capitalism, private ownership of land, and foreign investment.
  • However, China maintains one-party rule, no democracy, repression against dissidents, and suppression of civil liberties.
  • Economic reform has not been accompanied by political reform.