1. POLI 324: Asian Politics
Dr. Kevin Lasher

2. Ancient China
1766 B.C.E.

3. Imperial China
221 B.C.E

4. China as the Middle Kingdom

5. Chinese Inventions

6. Chinese Inventions

7. Chinese Inventions

8. Chinese Inventions

9. Confucianism was a philosophical, social and ethical system more than a religion
Focus on social stability, order and “right behavior”

10. Five Relationships Ruler-subject Father-child Husband-wife
Elder brother-younger brother
friend-friend

11. Imperial Dynasties

12. Dynasties Southern/Northern 420-589 Tang 618-907 Liao 916-1125
Yuan (Mongol)
Ming
Qing (Manchu)

13. New Dynasty has Mandate of Heaven
Virtuous leaders bring peace and prosperity
Aging Dynasty with high taxes and corruption
Peasant Rebellions, Famines, Earthquakes, Invasions
Dynasty Loses Mandate of Heaven and collapses or is overthrown

14. Effective bureaucracy
based on Confucian examinations
Meritocracy

15. Static Imperial China, 1600s-1800s
No European-style enlightenment
No scientific method
No concept of individual rights
No industrialization

16. Static Imperial China, 1600s-1800s
European states as new world powers
Euro-centric world
Late Qing dynasty is not prepared for these new threats

17. Threat from New Barbarians, 1800s

18. Military Defeats First Opium War, 1839-1842
Second Opium War,
Unequal Treaties,
Sino-French War,
The Sino-Japan War,
China vs. Eight Powers in 1900
The Sino-Japanese War from

19. Century of Humiliation, 1839-1949

20. Century of Humiliation, 1839-1949

21. Century of Humiliation, 1839-1949

22. Republic of China
1911

23. Humiliation Continues
Weak Republic,
Warlordism,
KMT-led China,
Japan in Manchuria,
War with Japan,
Civil War,

24. Communism in China
People’s Republic
of China 1949

26. The End