The Chinese Revolution MWH C. Corning

China in 1900  1900 China was ruled by the Qing Dynasty – originally from Manchuria (north of China).  1900 Chinese Empire had grown weak from foreign influences.  Opium War – 1839 – 1842 (British)  Second Opium War (Anglo-French)  Japanese annexation of Korea and Formosa ( )  Unequal treaties and treaty ports  Spheres of influence  Europeans unpopular in China and Chinese blamed the Manchus – 1850 Taiping Rebellion.

Boxer Rebellion 1900  Many of the opponents of the Manchus disliked foreigners, especially Christians.  The Boxers organized a rebellion targeting foreigners and Christians. They also opposed the Manchus but the Empress Cixi won them over.  European governments organized a joint force, invaded China and captured Beijing.  Rebellion just increased dislike of foreigners and emphasized the weakness of the Manchus.  Empress tried to enact reforms (education, New Army, formation of a parliament) but too late.

The Revolution of 1911  Sun Yat-sen was one of many revolutionaries who sought to overthrow the Manchus. He was a Christian, American and British educated.  He thought the only hope for China was to make itself into a Republic – need to get rid of the Manchu Dynasty.  He founded several secret societies to overthrow the Manchus by force. In 1908 the Empress Cixi dies and her nephew Puyi becomes Emperor with his uncle as regent. Prince Chun is a conservative and against reforms.

Revolution of 1911  In 1911 China entered a period of economic discontent.  Harvest failure, wealthier classes protest taxes  Wuchang Rebellion  Sept 1911 rebellion in Sichuan escalates from a protest against the government to the New Army joining the rebels (Oct) to finally 15 of the 18 provinces joining the revolution (Nov)>  Provisional gov’t established in Nanjing.  Yuan Shikai made Prime Minister by Manchus in order to crush the rebels BUT he makes a deal and forces the Emperor to abdicate.  Competition for leadership between Sun Yat-sen and Yuan Shikai – Yuan “wins” the Presidency.

Warlord China  The Presidency of Yuan Shikai – 1912 to 1916  Elections for National Assembly in 1913, new party Guomindang (Sun Yat-sen’s party) wins  Yuan ignores the Assembly and rules as a dictator, later tries to make himself Emperor (tradition of strong generals).  Opposition to the President – three groups:  Guomindang – democratic government  General and military governors of provinces  Japanese – 1915 Twenty-One Demands  The Warlords (1916 – 1927) – after Yuan’s death no one leader able to hold China together. Warlords fought with each other for control of China (civil war).

The New Revolutionaries 1919 –1927  May Fourth Movement – 4 May 1919  Protest against the decisions of the Treaty of Versailles at the end of WW1 – German “possessions” in China given to Japan.  10,000 students in Beijing demonstrated – student rebellion spread. Development of New Tide movement.  The Communists and the Guomindang  Communism was an idea that came from outside of China Chinese Communist Party – Mao Zedong member.  Guomindang – 1924 Three Principles/Russian support.  Period of cooperation until 1927 – Shanghai Rebellions  Chiang Kai-shek and the Northern Campaign  Goal: to unite China and end the rule of War Lords.

Conquest and Extermination  Unification of China 1928  Guomindang occupy Beijing – capital moved to Nanjing. Establishment of National Government – Chairman.  Not true unification – lots of problems.  Jiangxi Soviet  Communists fled to Jiangxi and set up Chinese Soviet Republic with Mao Zedong as political leader.  Land Law (1930) and Red Army - win peasants’ support.  Extermination Campaigns  Guomindang’s military campaigns to remove the Communists.  Five campaigns – only last was successful and the Communists were on the run.

The Long March 1934/The United Front  The Fifth Campaign  The Long March  Mao Resumes Control (Jan 1935)