1. The Legacies of Imperial China and the Dawning of the Revolutionary 20th Century

2. The Legacies of Imperial China and the Dawning of the Revolutionary 20th Century
Revolutionaries “seizing power”
misnomer

3. The Legacies of Imperial China and the Dawning of the Revolutionary 20th Century
Successful revolutions have multiple parts
Breakdown of old regime
Creation of new political order
Ideology
Organization
Mass support

4. States and Social Revolutions
Theda Skocpol: explaining social revolutions
States are “Janus-faced”; they face
Domestic classes & groups
International system of states & global economy
Breakdown of old state apparatus key part of revolutionary situation
Domestically—domestic rebellion
Internationally—defeat in international war
Creation of new political order key part of successful revolution (next class)

5. States and Social Revolutions
What are the defining characteristics of revolution?

6. Defining Characteristics of REVOLUTION
Fundamental change in
political structure
nature of political elites
ideological basis for rule
class structure
nature of societal elites

7. Functioning and breakdown of old regime
Normal functions of imperial state
How they broke down through
Internal decline
External challenge

8. Normal functions of the Qing State (progressively undermined)
Tax collection
Maintenance of public order
Maintenance of basic infrastructure
Provision of minimal social welfare and relief
Propagation of ideology and perpetuation of system of rule

9. Confucian ideology Ideal of social harmony Through knowing one’s place
5 relationships
Ruler/ruled
Father/son
Husband/wife
Elder/younger
Friend/friend

10. Confucian Ideology
Mandate of heaven
“Right to rebel”

11. The core functions of the Qing state were undermined by both internal and external sources of decline in the 19th Century.

12. Long-term Causes of Revolutionary Change in 20th C China
Internal: decline of Qing imperial state

13. Internal Sources of Decline in the 19th Century
“Phenomenal” population increase
Increasing economic competition for survival
Corruption of regime
Series of major rebellions

14. Series of Major Rebellions in 19th C
Taiping Rebellion ( )
Nian Rebellion ( )
Others
suppressed by provincial armies outside of central state control
Est. 100 million deaths in rebellions

15. Small Group Discussion Question
What’s the difference between a rebellion and a revolution?

16. Small Group Discussion Question
What’s the difference between a rebellion and a revolution?
Perry (p.2)
Revolution: violent process that both envisions and achieves rapid political, social, economic, and cultural transformation
Rebellion: more common phenomenon of organized protest against the government—without any stipulation as to ideology, class consciousness, or political success
Blecher (p.39)
Revolution: basic transformation of society’s state and class structures—requires a leadership with an analysis of the past, a vision of the future, and a political strategy and organization to lead society from the former to the latter
i.e. ideology and organization: stay tuned for next class

17. States and Social Revolutions
Theda Skocpol: explaining social revolutions
Breakdown of old state apparatus key part of revolutionary situation
Domestically—domestic rebellion
Internationally—defeat in international war

18. Long-term Causes of Revolutionary Change in 20th C China
External: Western and Japanese challenges to Qing imperial state

19. External Sources of Decline in the 19th Century
Defeat in wars with Western powers and Japan
Opium Wars
Sino-Japanese War

20. External Sources of Decline in the 19th Century
Fundamental challenge to belief system
Traditional exam system abolished 1905
Contrast: Macartney Mission 1793

21. States and Social Revolutions
Theda Skocpol: explaining social revolutions
Today:
Breakdown of old state apparatus key part of revolutionary situation
Domestically—domestic rebellion
Internationally—defeat in international war
Next class:
Creation of new political order key part of successful revolution
Ideology
Organization
Mass support