Revolutionary China

Old China’s Problems Troubles at home Peasant farmers angry about losing ownership of their farms Bandits roamed countryside Hunger Angry people organized into rebel armies tried to overthrow government

Old China’s Problems China and the West European nations wanted to end China’s restrictions on trade Nations could only trade at Canton European nations wanted to expand trade to all ports on the China coast

Old China’s Problems-continued China and the West-continued British tried to increase trade of opium, but Chinese cracked down on trade British defeated Chinese in “Opium War” European nations gained special rights in China Claimed “spheres of influence” Areas where foreigners could open mines, build railways, and conduct other business with little Chinese interference

Old China’s Problems-continued China and the West-continued Foreigners won other rights Travel and live in China without being subjected to Chinese laws Built naval bases on Chinese soil China reduced to semi-colonial status Giving up much of its powers to other nations

Historical Figures Sun Yat-sen First national leader after fall of Qing government Wanted to build a strong modern nation by blending Chinese and Western ideas about government 3 Principles of the People Nationalism, democracy, and livelihood 3 Principles became organizing ideas for a modern Nationalist Party

Historical Figures-continued Chiang Kai-Shek Leader of Nationalist Party after Sun Yat-sen’s death Formed a new government with 2 goals Establish a strong foundation for his government Destroy the Chinese Communist Party Successes Ended some of special rights of foreigners Regained authority in China

Historical Figures-continued Mao Zedong Opposition leader to Chiang’s new government Member of Chinese Communist Party Overthrew Chiang’s government Declared the birth of the People’s Republic Chiang reestablished his government in Taiwan

Historical Figures-continued Mao Zedong Wanted to remake Chinese political, social, and economic life through communism Wanted to make China a modern industrial nation Proposed “Great Leap Forward” Called for China to build new factories and change the agriculture system Proposal was a failure

Mao Zedong and Modern China Communist ideas Replaced Confucian ideas Destroyed old social order that placed some people above others Women declared as men’s equal Loyalty to communism more important than filial piety

Mao Zedong and Modern China-continued Cultural Revolution Mao attacked the Four Olds Old ideas, culture, customs, and habits Mao brought education, art, and literature in line with communism Thousands of art work, books, and temples destroyed Under communism, workers and farmers were glorified in posters

Chinese Education Most young Chinese attend primary school Government simplified Chinese characters Introduced the roman alphabet Children attend school Monday-Friday, and ½ day on Saturday Study reading, arithmetic, science, politeness, discipline, and respect Government assigns graduates to jobs

Vocabulary Opium: drug that can be used for medicine Spheres of influence: areas where foreigners could open mines, build railways, and conduct other business with little Chinese interference

Vocabulary-continued Semi-colonial status: giving up much of its power to other nations Junks: flat-bottomed fishing vessels where many families live and make their living Revolution: overthrow of an existing government by those subject to it