Chinese revolution events & figures
1912: Establishment of the Republic of China after the Xinhai Revolution
Statistic: Overthrew 2,000 years of imperial rule.
1916: Death of Yuan Shikai, leading to warlord era
Statistic: China was fragmented into territories controlled by various warlords.
Historian Quote: "The death of Yuan Shikai marked the beginning of a period of fragmentation and division in China." - Immanuel Hsu
Historical Figure Quote: "The republic is my child; I will not allow anyone to harm it." - Sun Yixian
1923: Formation of the First United Front between Kuomintang (KMT) and Chinese Communist Party (CCP)
Statistic: The KMT received financial and military aid from the Soviet Union.
1926-1928: Northern Expedition to end warlord rule
Statistic: The Northern Expedition mobilized approximately 100,000 troops.
Historian Quote: "The Northern Expedition was a campaign to unify China under the Kuomintang's control." - Jonathan Spence
Historical Figure Quote: "We must unite all the revolutionary forces to defeat the warlords." - Sun Yixian
April 12, 1927: Chiang Kai-shek orders purge of Communists in Shanghai
Statistic: Approximately 5,000 Communists and their sympathizers were killed.
Historian Quote: "The Shanghai Massacre marked the end of the First United Front and the beginning of a bitter civil war." - Rana Mitter
Historical Figure Quote: "I would check the tide of the Red menace, even if it means bloodshed." - Chiang Kai-shek
1931: Establishment of the Jiangxi Soviet by the CCP
Statistic: At its peak, the Jiangxi Soviet governed over 3 million people and controlled 30,000 square kilometers of territory.
Historian Quote: "The Jiangxi Soviet became a laboratory for revolutionary policies and practices." - Phillip Short
Historical Figure Quote: "We must create a model area of revolution that will inspire the masses." - Mao Zedong
1928-1937: Period of relative stability and modernization under the KMT
Statistic: Industrial output grew by 9% per year.
Historian Quote: "The Nationalist Decade was a time of reconstruction and modernization, but also of persistent internal strife." - James Sheridan
Historical Figure Quote: "Our goal is to create a modern and strong China." - Chiang Kai-shek
1934-1935: Strategic retreat of the Red Army from Jiangxi to Shaanxi
Statistic: The Long March covered approximately 9,000 kilometers and took over a year to complete.
Statistic: Only about 8,000 of the original 86,000 Red Army soldiers survived.
Historian Quote: "The Long March was a defining moment in Chinese Communist history, symbolizing resilience and determination." - John King Fairbank
Historical Figure Quote: "The Long March is a manifesto, a propaganda force, a seeding-machine." - Mao Zedong
1931: Japan invades and occupies Manchuria
Statistic: Manchuria had rich natural resources and a population of about 30 million.
Historian Quote: "The occupation of Manchuria marked the beginning of Japan's aggressive expansion in Asia." - E. Bruce Reynolds
Historical Figure Quote: "China is a piece of meat on a chopping block, ready to be carved up by the powers." - Chiang Kai-shek
1937-1945: Full-scale war between China and Japan
Statistic: The war resulted in an estimated 20 million Chinese civilian deaths.
Statistic: Over 80 million Chinese were made refugees.
Historian Quote: "The Sino-Japanese War devastated China but also galvanized its people to resist foreign aggression." - Jay Taylor
Historical Figure Quote: "We will fight to the end, no matter the cost." - Chiang Kai-shek
1935-1948: Base of Communist operations in Yan’an
Statistic: The Yan’an Soviet attracted thousands of intellectuals and young people to the Communist cause.
Historian Quote: "Yan’an became the cradle of the Chinese Communist revolution, where Mao’s ideas were developed and spread." - Stuart Schram
Historical Figure Quote: "In Yan’an, we have found our revolutionary base, our hope for China." - Mao Zedong
1936: Chiang Kai-shek kidnapped by his own generals in Xian
Statistic: The Xian Incident forced the KMT and CCP to form the Second United Front against Japan.
Historian Quote: "The Xian Incident was a pivotal moment that temporarily united China against the Japanese threat." - Odd Arne Westad
Historical Figure Quote: "We must set aside our differences to fight the greater enemy." - Zhou Enlai
1946-1949: Civil war between KMT and CCP resumes after WWII
Statistic: The CCP emerged victorious, leading to the establishment of the People’s Republic of China in 1949.
Statistic: An estimated 1.5 million soldiers and 6 million civilians were killed during the civil war.
Historian Quote: "The civil war was a brutal struggle for power that reshaped China’s future." - Lucian Pye
Historical Figure Quote: "The people’s revolution has triumphed; a new China is born." - Mao Zedong
Principles: Nationalism, democracy, and livelihood
Historian Quote: "Sun's Three Principles provided a visionary blueprint for China's modernization." - Maurice Meisner
Historical Figure Quote: "The Three Principles are the foundation for building a new China." - Sun Yixian
Ideas: Promotion of science, democracy, and anti-Confucianism
Statistic: Movement influenced thousands of students and intellectuals.
Historian Quote: "The New Culture Movement was a cultural awakening that challenged traditional values." - Jerome B. Grieder
Historical Figure Quote: "Science and democracy are the twin pillars of progress." - Chen Duxiu
Ideas: Peasant-based revolution, guerrilla warfare, continuous revolution
Historian Quote: "Maoism emphasized the importance of peasant support and self-reliance." - Roderick MacFarquhar
Historical Figure Quote: "The peasants are the sea; we are the fish. The sea is our habitat." - Mao Zedong
Role: Military leader and first President of the Republic of China
Statistic: Tried to restore monarchy in China in 1915, proclaiming himself Emperor.
Historian Quote: "Yuan Shikai's ambition to become Emperor alienated many of his supporters." - Jonathan Fenby
Historical Figure Quote: "To save the nation, we must establish a strong central authority." - Yuan Shikai
Role: Leader of the Xinhai Revolution and founder of the Republic of China
Statistic: Founded the Kuomintang (KMT) in 1919.
Historian Quote: "Sun Yat-sen is revered as the father of modern China." - C. Martin Wilbur
Historical Figure Quote: "The revolution is not yet successful; comrades must still strive." - Sun Yixian
Role: Leader of the Kuomintang (KMT) and head of the Nationalist government
Statistic: Led the Northern Expedition with a peak force of 250,000 troops.
Historian Quote: "Chiang Kai-shek’s authoritarian rule alienated many and led to his eventual downfall." - Jay Taylor
Historical Figure Quote: "Our nation is in peril, and only through unity can we save it." - Chiang Kai-shek
Role: Leader of the Chinese Communist Party and architect of the People's Republic of China
Statistic: Led the Long March,
1912: Establishment of the Republic of China after the Xinhai Revolution
Statistic: Overthrew 2,000 years of imperial rule.
1916: Death of Yuan Shikai, leading to warlord era
Statistic: China was fragmented into territories controlled by various warlords.
Historian Quote: "The death of Yuan Shikai marked the beginning of a period of fragmentation and division in China." - Immanuel Hsu
Historical Figure Quote: "The republic is my child; I will not allow anyone to harm it." - Sun Yixian
1923: Formation of the First United Front between Kuomintang (KMT) and Chinese Communist Party (CCP)
Statistic: The KMT received financial and military aid from the Soviet Union.
1926-1928: Northern Expedition to end warlord rule
Statistic: The Northern Expedition mobilized approximately 100,000 troops.
Historian Quote: "The Northern Expedition was a campaign to unify China under the Kuomintang's control." - Jonathan Spence
Historical Figure Quote: "We must unite all the revolutionary forces to defeat the warlords." - Sun Yixian
April 12, 1927: Chiang Kai-shek orders purge of Communists in Shanghai
Statistic: Approximately 5,000 Communists and their sympathizers were killed.
Historian Quote: "The Shanghai Massacre marked the end of the First United Front and the beginning of a bitter civil war." - Rana Mitter
Historical Figure Quote: "I would check the tide of the Red menace, even if it means bloodshed." - Chiang Kai-shek
1931: Establishment of the Jiangxi Soviet by the CCP
Statistic: At its peak, the Jiangxi Soviet governed over 3 million people and controlled 30,000 square kilometers of territory.
Historian Quote: "The Jiangxi Soviet became a laboratory for revolutionary policies and practices." - Phillip Short
Historical Figure Quote: "We must create a model area of revolution that will inspire the masses." - Mao Zedong
1928-1937: Period of relative stability and modernization under the KMT
Statistic: Industrial output grew by 9% per year.
Historian Quote: "The Nationalist Decade was a time of reconstruction and modernization, but also of persistent internal strife." - James Sheridan
Historical Figure Quote: "Our goal is to create a modern and strong China." - Chiang Kai-shek
1934-1935: Strategic retreat of the Red Army from Jiangxi to Shaanxi
Statistic: The Long March covered approximately 9,000 kilometers and took over a year to complete.
Statistic: Only about 8,000 of the original 86,000 Red Army soldiers survived.
Historian Quote: "The Long March was a defining moment in Chinese Communist history, symbolizing resilience and determination." - John King Fairbank
Historical Figure Quote: "The Long March is a manifesto, a propaganda force, a seeding-machine." - Mao Zedong
1931: Japan invades and occupies Manchuria
Statistic: Manchuria had rich natural resources and a population of about 30 million.
Historian Quote: "The occupation of Manchuria marked the beginning of Japan's aggressive expansion in Asia." - E. Bruce Reynolds
Historical Figure Quote: "China is a piece of meat on a chopping block, ready to be carved up by the powers." - Chiang Kai-shek
1937-1945: Full-scale war between China and Japan
Statistic: The war resulted in an estimated 20 million Chinese civilian deaths.
Statistic: Over 80 million Chinese were made refugees.
Historian Quote: "The Sino-Japanese War devastated China but also galvanized its people to resist foreign aggression." - Jay Taylor
Historical Figure Quote: "We will fight to the end, no matter the cost." - Chiang Kai-shek
1935-1948: Base of Communist operations in Yan’an
Statistic: The Yan’an Soviet attracted thousands of intellectuals and young people to the Communist cause.
Historian Quote: "Yan’an became the cradle of the Chinese Communist revolution, where Mao’s ideas were developed and spread." - Stuart Schram
Historical Figure Quote: "In Yan’an, we have found our revolutionary base, our hope for China." - Mao Zedong
1936: Chiang Kai-shek kidnapped by his own generals in Xian
Statistic: The Xian Incident forced the KMT and CCP to form the Second United Front against Japan.
Historian Quote: "The Xian Incident was a pivotal moment that temporarily united China against the Japanese threat." - Odd Arne Westad
Historical Figure Quote: "We must set aside our differences to fight the greater enemy." - Zhou Enlai
1946-1949: Civil war between KMT and CCP resumes after WWII
Statistic: The CCP emerged victorious, leading to the establishment of the People’s Republic of China in 1949.
Statistic: An estimated 1.5 million soldiers and 6 million civilians were killed during the civil war.
Historian Quote: "The civil war was a brutal struggle for power that reshaped China’s future." - Lucian Pye
Historical Figure Quote: "The people’s revolution has triumphed; a new China is born." - Mao Zedong
Principles: Nationalism, democracy, and livelihood
Historian Quote: "Sun's Three Principles provided a visionary blueprint for China's modernization." - Maurice Meisner
Historical Figure Quote: "The Three Principles are the foundation for building a new China." - Sun Yixian
Ideas: Promotion of science, democracy, and anti-Confucianism
Statistic: Movement influenced thousands of students and intellectuals.
Historian Quote: "The New Culture Movement was a cultural awakening that challenged traditional values." - Jerome B. Grieder
Historical Figure Quote: "Science and democracy are the twin pillars of progress." - Chen Duxiu
Ideas: Peasant-based revolution, guerrilla warfare, continuous revolution
Historian Quote: "Maoism emphasized the importance of peasant support and self-reliance." - Roderick MacFarquhar
Historical Figure Quote: "The peasants are the sea; we are the fish. The sea is our habitat." - Mao Zedong
Role: Military leader and first President of the Republic of China
Statistic: Tried to restore monarchy in China in 1915, proclaiming himself Emperor.
Historian Quote: "Yuan Shikai's ambition to become Emperor alienated many of his supporters." - Jonathan Fenby
Historical Figure Quote: "To save the nation, we must establish a strong central authority." - Yuan Shikai
Role: Leader of the Xinhai Revolution and founder of the Republic of China
Statistic: Founded the Kuomintang (KMT) in 1919.
Historian Quote: "Sun Yat-sen is revered as the father of modern China." - C. Martin Wilbur
Historical Figure Quote: "The revolution is not yet successful; comrades must still strive." - Sun Yixian
Role: Leader of the Kuomintang (KMT) and head of the Nationalist government
Statistic: Led the Northern Expedition with a peak force of 250,000 troops.
Historian Quote: "Chiang Kai-shek’s authoritarian rule alienated many and led to his eventual downfall." - Jay Taylor
Historical Figure Quote: "Our nation is in peril, and only through unity can we save it." - Chiang Kai-shek
Role: Leader of the Chinese Communist Party and architect of the People's Republic of China
Statistic: Led the Long March,