CHINESE AND MEXICAN

REVOLUTIONS

Unit 6: Accelerating Global Change and Realignments c1900 to the Present

CHINESE REVOLUTION

China Revolution - Background China was dominated by imperialist

powers Chinese gov’t was conservative and

anti-foreign (remember the Boxer Rebellion!)

BUT…Gov’t was blamed by many Chinese for being weak due to the domination of foreigners

Chinese Revolution (1911-1912) In response to the decline of the Qing

Failed to modernize ChinaDidn’t confront foreign powers

Series of uprising and revolts mostly fought by peasants (as is the case in the decline of EVERY Chinese dynasty)

Leadership is based on cooperation between intellectual elite (including Communists) and provincial Chinese warlords.

The Guomingdang (Nationalist) Party is formed

China (Civil War) - Roots 1912 - China becomes a republic under Sun

Yat-sen, a medical doctor and early organizer of the Chinese opposition

But, Chinese warlords overthrown the republican government and Sun Yat-Sen flees to Japan

Other warlords fight the Nationalist Party for power

1928 – Sun Yat-sen’s successor, Chiang Kai-shek, eventually leads the Nationalists to power

Chinese Civil War (Roots)

Sun Yat-sen

Chinese Civil War Under Chiang Kai-shek – the gov’t does

not improve the living conditions of the peasants.

Communists – supported by peasantsNationalists were seen as corrupt and favoring

the elite and business classes The Communists, led by Mao Zedong,

splits with the Nationalist government Mao forms the Red Army to fight against the

Nationalist government

Chinese Civil War

Chiang Kai-ShekMao Zedong

Chinese Civil War The Nationalists win many victories

against the Communist Red Army. Chiang and his Nationalist army surround

the Red Army. The Long March – Red Army under Mao

breaks free and retreats. Started with 100,000 men and ends with only 8,000 left.

1939 - Communist and Nationalist join forces to fight against Japanese invasion.This saves the Communist movement

The Long March

Chinese Civil War After WWII – Civil War continues 1949 – Mao’s Communist forces defeat

Chiang’s Nationalist forcesCommunist forces used weapons given to them by

the Nationalists to fight the JapaneseIncreased support from the Soviet UnionWestern democracies abandon support for Chiang

Chiang/Nationalists retreat to the island of Taiwan off the coast of China.

Mao/Communists in charge of mainland China

Separation of China still exists today. Continuing source of conflict.

Retreat of Nationalist Forces

China – Great Leap Forward

Chinese communists want to build a better, more industrialized economy

People worked in “communes” (or large gov’t controlled cooperatives) made steel in their backyards.

Ultimately a disaster – 20 million people starved as production on farms slashed

China – Great Leap Forward

China – the Cultural Revolution

Ideological division in China’s Communist Party

Pragmatists – wanted practical reforms Cultural Revolution – Mao’s attempt to take

power away from pragmatists Red Guards – students who supported Mao.

Attacked teachers, people in authority Red Guard uses extreme force to conduct

the Cultural Revolution 1968 – Mao uses Red Army to put a stop to

the Cultural Revolution

China – the Cultural Revolution

China – the Four Modernizations

1976 – Mao dies. Deng Xiaoping gained power

Four ModernizationsImprovements in agriculture, industry, science,

defenseEnd commune system – some private propertyAttract foreign investmentCreate more efficient factories operating on

principles of supply and demand

China

Deng Xiaoping

China – Tiananmen Square Massacre (1989) As a result of Deng’s policy, China had free

enterprise – but no political freedoms Students protested for more open political

system in Tiananmen Square Protest brutally put down by government 1,000’s killed, many other imprisoned

China – Tiananmen Square Massacre (1989)

MEXICAN REVOLUTION

Mexican Revolution - Background Rigid social order remains

CreolesMestizosNative AmericansAfricans

United States has great influence over Mexican economy (railroads, oil production, banking)

Mexican Presidency was traditionally a “job for life” position

President Porfirio Diaz looking to grow Mexican industry with foreign capital

Porforio Diaz

Mexican Revolution - Background The Effects of the “Porfiriato” (or Policy

of Porforio)Foreign/Mexican owners discriminated

against Mexican workers and Mexican middle class

Did nothing to improve the lives of the poorest Mestizos

Neglected educationConfiscated ejidos (or common lands)

Ejidos

Mexican Revolution By 1910 – large portions of Mexican society fed

up with Diaz Political and social turmoil resulted Diaz said he was ready to retire and would allow

other presidential candidates to run against him Diaz reneges on his promise, jails his opponent

(Francisco Madero), and the election results in widespread voter fraud. Widespread revolts occur.

1911 – Diaz is overthrown and exiled

Porforio Diaz

Mexican Revolution Francisco Madero – despite being a

wealthy landowner, promises agrarian reformDoesn’t fulfill his promise

New rivals for influence among peasants/reformers emergeEmiliano Zapata – organized peasants from

southern MexicoFrancisco “Pancho” Villa – organized

peasants from Northern Mexico

Francisco MaderoEmilio Zapata

“Pancho” Villa

The Mexican Revolution Huerta and the US

1913 - Victoriano Huerta overthrows Madero○ Mexican general○ Conspires with US Ambassador to overthrow the

Madero gov’t○ However, the US Gov’t doesn’t recognize this gov’t

and sends forces to occupy the city of Vera Cruz (1914)

CarranzaThe US backs Venustian Carranza, a politician more

friendly to the USZapata and Villa both fight Huerta as well

Mexican Revolution

Victoriano Huerta

Venustian Carranza

The Mexican Revolution Huerta is defeated and Carranza

becomes President Zapata and Villa now fight against

Carranza Villa conducts raids in southwestern US

– the US sends troops into Mexico to capture Villa (NEVER DO!)This background impacts US reaction to the

Zimmerman Telegram (remember WWI!)

Chasing “Pancho” Villa

US General Pershing

The Mexican Constitution Ratified on January 31st, 1917

Universal suffrageRestrictions on foreign ownership of

Mexican land and industryLimits work day to 8 hoursEstablishes a minimum wageRequires land reform

Mexican Revolution - Aftermath Zapata is tricked into capture and is executed in 1917 Villa agrees to a peace deal with Carranza but is later

assassinated in 1923 Who gains?

Mexican middle class, some Mexican workers, Indian culture (e.g. murals of Diego Rivera)

PRI – the Institutionalized Revolutionary Party○ Picks Mexican leaders○ Little real democracy

Who gains the least?Poorest Mexican agricultural workers

○ Poorly paid○ Illiterate

Diego Rivera

Mexican Peasants