Revolt, Revolution and Civil War!

Empress Dowager Ci Xi tried to adopt reforms to help China in education, government, and economics---doesn’t work New elite wanted a say in the

government A young radical, Sun Yat-sen, formed

the Revolutionary Alliance which became the Nationalist Party Developed a 3 stage reform process to

take over China 1. Military takeover 2. Transitional phase where Sun’s party

prepare the people for democratic rule 3. Create a constitutional democracy

Fall of the Qing Dynasty

In 1908 Empress Dowager Ci Xi died Guang Xu died one day before

China’s last emperor became Henry Pu Yi—an infant

In October 1911 Sun Yat-sen’s followers launched an uprising Toppled the Qing Dynasty Established General Yuan Shigai as President

He controlled the military (think Sun’s stage #1) Unfortunately Yuan was hated by everyone

Ruled in traditional manner, not in a democratic way. Used terror to control the people

The Nationalists launched a rebellion against Yuan but were defeated Sun Yat-sen fled to Japan

Today Sun Yat-sen is credited with founding modern China

Revolution of 1911

By 1920, two parties emerged fighting to control China: the Nationalists and the Communists Initially the two parties worked together

to take control of China Leaders:

Chiang Kai-shek: Nationalists Mao Zedong: Communists

Chiang founded a new Chinese republic in Nanjing and tried to reunify China. Broke alliance with Communists

Shanghai Massacre—killed thousands of Communists

Chiang tried to kill all Communists Mao’s military used guerrilla tactics—

VERY SUCCESSFUL

Nationalists and Communists

In 1934 Chiang’s army had surrounded Mao’s army Mao’s army broke through the Nationalists

lines and began the “Long March” Travelled 6,000 to reach last Communist

area in Northern China 90,000 troops started, 9,000 survived the

march Crippled Mao and the Communists

Chiang Kai-shek tried to follow Sun Yat-sen’s plan Tried to westernize China Built roads and railroads But also censored the media and

oppressed the people (due to fear of communist influence)

The Long March

1945 Mao had gained support and began a Civil War with Chiang Kai-shek By 1949 Chiang was defeated and fled to Taiwan with 2

million of his followers Mao made China Communist

Took almost all private land and businesses Ruled from 1945-1976

Great Leap Forward: Program of economic growth Created communes – massive farms were +30,000

people lived and worked together Food production plummeted —massive starvation and

poverty 15 million died from starvation

Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution Wrote “Little Red Book” which had important

Communist ideas Red Guard: Kill ANYONE against Mao

Eliminate “Four Olds:” Old ideas, old culture old customs, old habits

Basically brainwashed the people

Mao’s Triumph