Chinese Communist Revolution Timeline

Open Door Policy 1899- The US proposed that China opens up their “doors” for merchants of all nations This protected China from being colonized but gave increased influence to western countries in China

Boxer Rebellion 1899- The secret society of “harmonious fists” made up of poor farmers and workers attacked foreigners out of resentment of foreign influence The rebellion failed, but ignited nationalism in China- people wanted change

1911 Revolution 1911- Sun Yat-Sen leads the Kuomintang (Nationalist Party) and overthrows the Qing dynasty This ends the thousands of years of dynastic rule in China Sun Yat-Sen develops three principles of the people

1. Nationalism- Overthrow weak government and unite all Chinese under a strong central government 2. Democracy- Use constitutional government; equality for all and elected officials 3. Livelihood- give fair and equal ownership of land so all chinese live well

1916- Nationalist party is unable to control the warlords of China 1917- Chinese fight in WWI on the side of the Allies. The treaty of Versailles rewards Japan with land in China that was held by the Germans

1919- May Fourth Movement- violent student protests in China in response to the Treaty of Versailles and Japanese involvement in China 1921- Communist party in China is formed with Mao Zedong as the leader

Mao’s goal is to unite China under a strong central government and distribute land equally to all peasants

1922- Communists and Nationalists join together to fight the Japanese 1925- Sun Yat-Sen dies and Chaing Kai-Shek becomes the leader of the Nationalist party

1927- Shanghai Massacre- Chaing Kai-Shek kill thousands of Communists and form the National Republic of China 1930- Civil War- The Nationalists fail to reform China and the Communists gain supporters 1931- Japan invades Manchuria

1934- The Long March- The Nationalists force the Communists to flee 6000 miles, about 70,000 Communists die 1937- Communists and Nationalists join forces to fight the Japanese again

1945- Civil war continues after Japan is defeated in WWII 1949- With the support of the peasants and workers, the Communists defeat Chaing Kai-Shek and the Nationalists Nationalists flee to Taiwan creating “two China’s”