Upheavals in China Chapter 12.4

Focus Question How did China cope with internal division and foreign invasion in the early 1900’s?

The Chinese Republic in Trouble After WWI, German territories were given to Japan instead of China. After the death of the second president of China, local warlords seized power, and the influence of foreign powers increased.

The Chinese Republic in Trouble In 1919, the May Fourth Movement sought to strengthen China and end foreign domination by rejecting Confucianism and many traditional practices. Some Chinese also turned to Marxism and the Soviet Union offered to train/educate Chinese students and officers to become elite leaders.

Struggle for a New China The Nationalist party of China, called the Guomindang (KMT or Kuomintang), was first led by Sun Yixian and then by Jiang Jieshi. Jiang led the combined forces of the Guomindang and Chinese Communists in 1926 in the Northern Expedition to defeat the warlords and unite China. It was successful, and they were able to take the Northern provinces and cities such as Beijing.

Struggle for a New China Cont. Jiang turned on the Communists after the Northern Provinces were gained to seize all power. Jiang ordered the attack on thousands of soldiers and workers who supported the communists were slaughtered and a civil war broke out in China (will last 22 years)

Struggle for a New China Cont. Communist leader, Mao Zedong led an effort to gain the support of peasants by redistributing land. Mao’s forces were forced to retreat. This is known as the “Long March” in 1934 into Northern China to set up new stronghold and regroup.

Struggle for a New China Cont. Mao’s communist’s would use guerrilla tactics to attack the Guomindang During the march to N. China, soldiers were instructed to treat peasants with respect and do as little damage as possible. Gaining a lot of peasant support.

Japanese Invasion Japan invaded Manchuria in 1931. In 1937, the Japanese bombed Chinese cities and invaded eastern China. The Guomindang and Communists fought the Japanese together in this Second Sino- Japanese War.

Looking ahead By the end of World War II, China was split between the Jiang’s Guomindang and Mao’s communist Party. As corruption grew in Jiang’s government, the Communists gained support and would eventually take control.