-
Addiction
Over 12 million Chinese were addicted to opium -
Opium war starts
The british refused to stop trading opium. Britain won. -
Taiping Rebellion
About 20 million people were killed during the rebellion that lasted from 1850 to 1864. One million soldiers fought for Hong Xiuqan during the rebellion. His mission was that everyone would share China's wealth and get rid of poverty. -
Dowager Empress
The Dowager Empress sent officials to view other governments around the world to decide what style would work best for China's new government. -
Boxer Rebellion
The Boxer rebellion of 1910 lasted about one year. The rebels were a group that called themselves the Society of Righteous and Harmonious fists. They displayed their discontent by surounding and attacking Europeans and their cities. The empress actually agreed with them but did not help or support them. -
Qing Dynasty Ends
The last emperor of the dynasty is overthrown and the chinese nationalist party takes over. It was too little too late for reforms -
Sun Yixian
Sun Yixian becomes the president of the new Republic of China. -
May 4th Movement
Over 3,000 students gathered to protest in Beijing angry that the previous German territories in China would not be returned to China but rather to Japan. It became a national movement. At this time many young chinese people turned against western democracy and toward Lenin's communism. -
Communist Party Formed
A group met in Shanghai to organize the Chinese Communist Party. Mao was among the leaders. -
Nationalists and Communists fight civil war
The civil war lasted until 1949 -
The Long March
The president of the republic of China Jiang persued the communists over 6,000 miles in a year long chase. All in an effort to rid China of communism. -
Japanese Attack
The Japanese took advantage of the Chinese weakness during their wars against themselves and launched an all out attack in 1937. They bombed many villages and destroyed crops. This attack put the Nationalist/Communist fight on hold and forced them to join together. -
Civil War (part 2)
The second half of the civil war lasted from 1946 to 1949.Even though the nationalists outnumbered the communists about 3 to 1 and the US was supplying nearly 2 billion dollars in aid to the nationalists they still lost. Thousands of nationalist soldiers deserted to the communist side. -
Mao's Marxist Socialism
Mao wanted to enact socialist rule throughout China and its economy. In 1950 he enacted the Agrarian Reform Law to seized the land of landlords killing the millions that resisted. He divided the land to peasents and forced them to live on collective farms. -
Mao's 5 Year Plan
From 1953 to 1957 Mao's 5 year plan increased industry 15% a year, but the agricultural output grew very slowly. -
"Great Leap Forward"
From 1958 to 1961 China suffered economic disaster: industrial declines and food shortages. During this time Mao lost influence. -
Cultural Revolution
From 1966 to 1976 Mao regained influenced by backing radicals. Purges and conflicts among leaders created economic, social, and political chaos. -
China Opens Doors
Zhou invited American table- tennis team to tour China. This was the first visit by Americans since 1949. By 1979 the US and China established diplomatic relations. -
Deng starts Modernizations
Called for progress in agriculture, industry, defense, and science/ technology. His reforms increased food production by 50%, allowed private buisnesses, and helped to westernize China -
Tiananmen Square
Over 100,000 students gethered in the square at the heart of Beijing they were protesting for democracy. They began a hunger strike and people came to support them. They wanted Deng to resign. On June 4, 1989 heavilly armed soldiers stormed the square and smashe their statue Goddess of Democracy. Hundreds were killed and thousands were wounded.