1. Dynasty falls in 1911 – Nationalism takes Over
Guomindang Party
- founded in 1911 by Sun Yat-Sen
- then ruled by Chiang Kai-shek (communists take power)
patriotism, democracy, socialism (economic idea)
Socialism: industry is owned collectively, by the people; decisions are made by the people and regulated by the government to ensure equality.
Democratic socialism: owning private property is allowed, individuals are taxed at a high rate and that money is used to provide services like healthcare, education, etc.

2. The Good Earth By Pearl S. Buck
The Good Earth is above all a glimpse into the life of Chinese peasants and the social changes that affect their traditions. Early 1900s.
Wang Lung, a simple farmer
Wedding day to O-lan
O-lan works in the field with her unbound feet
Wang Lung decides to buy some land from the House of Hwang
Forced to help his uncle financially because he is family.
The next year, famine strikes. O-lan gives birth to a girl, something Wang Lung sees as a bad omen and daughter is killed. Family migrates south in search of food Uprising (BOXER REBELLION) and a rich house is sacked by the people
Wang Lung steals a rich man's gold
Wang Lung thus becomes a rich man Concubine, Lotus, sends his sons to school, and becomes widely respected
By the end of the novel the family has changed drastically. The sons have been raised without knowing the value of the land, all they know are monetary riches. Wang Lung, though occasionally enjoying the pleasures of a rich never wholly sheds his identity as a farmer. However, his sons, who are eager to sell the land and make more money, represent the changes to come.
The Good Earth By Pearl S. Buck

3. 1. Role of Women 2. Lack of wealth distribution/role of government
GOOD EARTH THEMES
1. Role of Women 2. Lack of wealth distribution/role of government
PLOT OVERVIEW - Chinese society is modernizing, but still connected to ancient traditions - Powerful Hwang family lives decadently ~ husband is obsessed with women and the wife is an opium addict ~ costly habits lead to hard times By the end of the novel, despite Wang’s passionate dissent, his sons plan to sell the family land and divide the money among themselves, signalling their final break with the land that made them wealthy.
Look over together : xix-xxi
Read pages 1-2 together

4. Using the quotes as your guide, write a summary of the role of women and the distribution of wealth/the role of the government during the early 1900s in China. Must be 2 complete paragraphs.
May work alone or with 1 other person. Turn in 1 sheet with both names written on it.
Read around the quotes for context – MUST COMPLETE AT LEAST 4 (2 women and 2 wealth
CHAPTER 1, PAGE 8-9 WOMEN: “Within that gate in the wall through …All the young lords have had their fill of her.” CHAPTER 1, PAGE 18 WOMEN: “Wang Lung, hearing her voice for the first time ... But this he could not dwell upon.”
CHAPTER 13, PAGE 127 WOMEN: “But Wang Lung that night could not sleep …if it be that she grow up pretty and please a lord.’”
CHAPTER 9, PAGE 81 WEALTH: “They scarcely rose at all…and hollow black eyes peering.”
CHAPTER 9, PAGE 89 WEALTH: “'Eaten!' he cried. 'If you could see my house. …and wiped the corner of each eye carefully.”
CHAPTER 14, PAGES WEALTH/GOV’T: “[O-Lan said] 'Now that which I have heard has come to pass…We go back to the land – tomorrow we go back to the land.”
CHAPTER 15, PAGE 151 WEALTH: “This man was nothing but a …I gave the girl to a soldier because I could not see her starve and die also.”