AP World History: China and Korea - Cold War and Decolonization

China’s Communist Revolution

  • Late 1800s: European imperialism spurred Chinese nationalism.
  • 1911: Revolution deposed Qing dynasty; Dr. Sun Yatsen established a republic in 1912.
  • New Republic failed to achieve stability or reform, leading to frustration.
  • Economic hardship: heavy taxes, land inequality, and foreign influence fueled resentment.
  • Rise of communism as an alternative ideology, highlighted by increasing support for Marxism.

Formation of the Chinese Communist Party

  • 1921: Chinese Communist Party (CCP) established, with early member Mao Zedong.
  • Maoism emphasized peasants as the revolutionary foundation, diverging from classical Marxist views.
  • Guomindang (Nationalist People’s Party) aimed for national reunification and democracy under Jiang Jieshi.
  • 1925: Jiang launched the Northern Expedition to unify China, establishing a government in Beijing by 1928.

Civil War and World War II

  • 1935: Long March marked the retreat of communists but strengthened guerrilla warfare against Japanese during WWII.
  • Post-WWII: Civil war resumed; CCP won and established the People's Republic of China in 1949.

Great Leap Forward

  • 1958: Mao's campaign aimed at rapid industrialization and agricultural transformation failed, leading to famine and 20 million deaths.
  • Mao criticized after failures; he temporarily withdrew from governance.

Cultural Revolution

  • 1966-1976: Mao's Cultural Revolution aimed to rebuild revolutionary spirit, targeting perceived bourgeois influences.
  • Red Guards terrorized intellectuals; millions sent to labor camps, massive civil unrest ensued.

China’s Relationship with the Soviet Union

  • Late 1950s: Sino-Soviet Split due to ideological and strategic differences.
  • China promoted revolutionary movements while competing for influence among communist states.
  • 1970s: Shift to a pragmatic foreign policy, improving relations with the U.S. under Nixon.

Deng Xiaoping’s Reforms

  • Post-Mao era (after 1976): Deng introduced economic reforms known as the “Four Modernizations.”
  • Shift toward a market-oriented system with special economic zones led to rapid growth and globalization despite strict political control.

The Korean Conflict

  • Post-WWII: Korea divided at the 38th parallel into North (communist) and South (capitalist).
  • June 25, 1950: North Korea invaded South Korea, prompting U.N. military intervention led by the U.S.
  • 1953: Armistice agreement established a heavily fortified DMZ but no official peace treaty.

Aftermath of the Korean War

  • North Korea became an isolated authoritarian state; South Korea achieved rapid industrialization and democratization.
  • Continued political tensions and occasional diplomatic efforts reflect the ongoing divide between the two Koreas, with stark contrasts in their political and economic development.