A Really, Really, Really Brief History of 20 th Century China Background Information for the novel Forbidden City

From Imperialism to Modernism At the turn of the 20 th century, China was still ruled by a royal family, the Qings. The Qing dynasty had ruled China since At the turn of the 20 th century, China was still ruled by a royal family, the Qings. The Qing dynasty had ruled China since 1644.

From Imperialism to Modernism The Qing family was not Chinese, though. They were Manchu and ruled from foreign posts. The Qing family was not Chinese, though. They were Manchu and ruled from foreign posts. The Chinese people sought for their own rule and found success in the The Chinese people sought for their own rule and found success in the

From Imperialism to Modernism In 1911, In 1911, Dr. Sun Yat Sen overthrows the Qing Dynasty, ending Imperialism in China. The new country becomes known as the Republic of China.

Beginnings of Communism Though the Chinese are finally ruling themselves, the success does not last. Though the Chinese are finally ruling themselves, the success does not last. China is thrown into turmoil and chaos and people begin to seek new ways to fix old problems. China is thrown into turmoil and chaos and people begin to seek new ways to fix old problems. In the end, communist groups begin to grow in China. In the end, communist groups begin to grow in China.

Beginnings of Communism On May 4 th, 1919, students gather in the streets to protest the government. On May 4 th, 1919, students gather in the streets to protest the government. They want new solutions to problems that continue to plague their country. They want new solutions to problems that continue to plague their country.

Moving to Communism In 1925, the Forbidden City – the place from which ancient dynasties ruled – is turned into a national museum. In 1925, the Forbidden City – the place from which ancient dynasties ruled – is turned into a national museum.

The 10 Year War Between 1927 and 1937, there is a 10 year civil war between two major political parties in China: Between 1927 and 1937, there is a 10 year civil war between two major political parties in China: –The Nationalist or Koumingtang Party (KMT) led by Chiang Kai Shek –The Communist Party (CCP) led by Mao Ze Dong

The Long March In 1934, the CCP party led by Mao Ze Dong, begins The Long March. In 1934, the CCP party led by Mao Ze Dong, begins The Long March. They were trying to avoid conflict with the KMT party and their success later made Mao Ze Dong famous. They were trying to avoid conflict with the KMT party and their success later made Mao Ze Dong famous.

Surviving Japan During World War II, the Japanese army frequently attacked China. During World War II, the Japanese army frequently attacked China. From , the KMT and CCP parties united in order to help create an army that could defend against these attacks. From , the KMT and CCP parties united in order to help create an army that could defend against these attacks.

The People’s Republic of China By 1949, Mao Ze Dong and the Red Army (which will later become the People’s Liberation Army) drive out the KMT completely. By 1949, Mao Ze Dong and the Red Army (which will later become the People’s Liberation Army) drive out the KMT completely. In 1949, Mao Ze Dong is named the official leader of the newly reformed People’s Republic of China at a celebration at Tian An Men Square. In 1949, Mao Ze Dong is named the official leader of the newly reformed People’s Republic of China at a celebration at Tian An Men Square.

New Challenges In 1974, Mao Ze Dong dies. In 1974, Mao Ze Dong dies. After a brief power struggle, Deng Xiaoping takes over the CCP. After a brief power struggle, Deng Xiaoping takes over the CCP.

New Challenges In 1989, thousands of students demanding massive changes in China gather to protest in Tian An Men Square. In 1989, thousands of students demanding massive changes in China gather to protest in Tian An Men Square. In the novel Forbidden City, we’ll learn the fate of these students. In the novel Forbidden City, we’ll learn the fate of these students.