Introduction to China

Transition from Europe Starting in 2100 BCE China was ruled by dynasties Starting in 2100 BCE China was ruled by dynasties In 1912 the final Qing Dynasty fell In 1912 the final Qing Dynasty fell Main reason: European imperialism Main reason: European imperialism Republic Period Republic Period 1949-present People’s Republic of China 1949-present People’s Republic of China

Basic Pronunciation Under Pingyin system, most letters are pronounced similar to what Westerners are used to except a few major differences Under Pingyin system, most letters are pronounced similar to what Westerners are used to except a few major differences q = ch(Qin = Chin) q = ch(Qin = Chin) x = sh(Xin = Shin) x = sh(Xin = Shin) a = ah(Tang = Tahng) a = ah(Tang = Tahng) Some other differences Some other differences zh = j zh = j i = ee (xi = she) i = ee (xi = she)

Focus for the Trimester Unequal treaties, collapse of the last dynasty (Qing) Unequal treaties, collapse of the last dynasty (Qing) Chaing Kai Shek, Mao Zedong Chaing Kai Shek, Mao Zedong Communist era post 1949: Great Leap Forward, Cultural Revolution Communist era post 1949: Great Leap Forward, Cultural Revolution Deng Ziaoping and China since 1977 Deng Ziaoping and China since 1977

How do you see China today? Political Political Economic Economic Social Social Strategic Strategic What do you know? What do you know?

China’s Population: 1.3 Billion

Population Density

Language Mandarin has the most speakers in the world with 1.1 billion Mandarin has the most speakers in the world with 1.1 billion 1 billion speak English 1 billion speak English 500 million speak Spanish 500 million speak Spanish 490 million speak Hindi 490 million speak Hindi 277 million speak Russian 277 million speak Russian 250 million speak Arabic 250 million speak Arabic

Economy GDP is $8.8 trillion, 2 nd in the world GDP is $8.8 trillion, 2 nd in the world Per capita GDP is 128 th Per capita GDP is 128 th Fastest growing economy in the world Fastest growing economy in the world Export driven society (manufacturing) Export driven society (manufacturing)

Other things to note: 3 million miles roads (2nd to US with 6M) 3 million miles roads (2nd to US with 6M) 4th largest country after 1)Russia, 2) Canada 3) US 4th largest country after 1)Russia, 2) Canada 3) US China consumes more energy than any other country (including US) China consumes more energy than any other country (including US) 40%-50% of worlds large cranes are in China 40%-50% of worlds large cranes are in China Rapid urbanization and creation of megacities with over 10 million people Rapid urbanization and creation of megacities with over 10 million people China is making significant foreign direct investment in Africa (raw resources and energy) China is making significant foreign direct investment in Africa (raw resources and energy)

Military China has over 300 million men of military age China has over 300 million men of military age 2.4M active military vs. US 1.5M (1st and 2nd largest) 2.4M active military vs. US 1.5M (1st and 2nd largest) China is 1 of 7 countries with nuclear warheads China is 1 of 7 countries with nuclear warheads 240 warheads vs in US and Russia each 240 warheads vs in US and Russia each Permanent member of the UN Security Council Permanent member of the UN Security Council Maintaining peaceful relationships is important for economic gains, but they also have a strong nationalistic interest in being a respected world power. Maintaining peaceful relationships is important for economic gains, but they also have a strong nationalistic interest in being a respected world power.

Current issues facing the nation Territorial disputes Territorial disputes Recent protests and uprisings Recent protests and uprisings Human rights and vast inequalities Human rights and vast inequalities Environmental issues: pollution and desertification Environmental issues: pollution and desertification

Map Activity