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Boxer Rebellion (1899-1901)
Chinese nationalists took up arms, angered by the government failure to prevent foreigners gaining increasing influence within China. The Manchu government eventually supported the rising and declared war on the foreign powers. China was forced to pay 67 million in compensation to the eight nation alliance formed by Britain, Russi, Japan, France, USA, Germany, Italy and Austria-Hungary that took Pekin and defeated the rebellion. -
Period: to
Russo-Japanese War
Humiliating for China as both foreign countries fought under Chinese territory for control of Manchuria. -
Emperor Pu Yi
Empress Tzu-hsi died, leaving her three-year old son Pu Yi heir to the throne. -
Xinhai Revolution
In Wuchang, soldiers incensed that the government continued paying compensation for the Boxer Rebellion to the hated foreigners. The rebellion spread and most provinces declared themselves independent of the central government in Pekin. -
End of Manchu Dynsasty
A monarchy that had lasted for nearly 2500 years formally ended. China was now a republic -
Kuomintang proclaimed
After the revolution removed the Manchus from power the Revolutionary Alliance jined with other parties to form the Kuomintang (KMT). Sun Yat Sen was elected provisional president. -
Period: to
First World War
China fought with the allies against the Central Powers. -
Twenty One Demands
Japan submitted a list of Twenty One Damands backed by the threat of war, designed to give Japan extensive political and economic rights in China. -
Yuan Shih Kai fall from power
President of the new Republic of China, able to maintain order, rulling as a military dictator, Yuan Shih Kai convinced that his role as Chinese leader was secure, commits the terrible mistake of proclaiming hiimself emperor. Revolutionary groups did not want restorationn of monarchy and he lost support from the army too. Costs his fall from power. -
Yuan Shih Kai death
Warlord era begins -
May The Fourth Movement
The May the Fourth Movement began by university students in Pekin to demonstrate against the Versailles Treaty and the power of the warlords. They argued that China had become a country dominated by warlords who were more concerned with extending their own political power than in defending national interest. They wanted industrial development and a democratic form of government. -
The Chinese Communist Party founded
Founded by Chen Duxiu the CCP began as a movement of intellectuals with the support of Soviet Russia. Lacking military strength required to gain political power. It was prepared to work closely with the KMT, although it didnt succeed. -
First United Front
Kuomintang and Chinese Communist Party alliance formed in 1923 to end warlordism in China. -
Sun Yat Sen death
Head of the military academy at Whampoa, Chiang Kai-Shek, elected by Sun Yat Sen, emerged as the new leader of the KMT. -
Northern March
Chiang began what became known as the Northern March a military advance by KMT forces with the aim of destroying the power of regional warlords and creating a unified China under KMT government. -
Pekin felll to KMT troops
Although some warlords continued to cause chaos in parts of China, Chiang Kai Shek had largely removed their power, became the military and political leader of China. -
Period: to
Five extermination campaigns.
Prepared by Chiang Kai Shek against Mao as he was threatening KMT control of China. These camaigns forced Mao to fight a guerrila war against the more organised army of the KMT. -
Japan invades Manchuria
When Japanese forces invaded Manchuria in 1931, Chiang Kai Shek adopted a policy of non-resistance as it still did not have full control of China and because it was too weak to hope to win a war against the powerfull Japan. -
Mao Tse Tung
Elected chairman of of the Soviet Republic of China. Mao controlled only a very small area, with an army (Red Army established by him in the same year) consisting of ill-equipped and poorly trained peasants. -
The Long March
Almost 100 000 communists broke through the KMT lines and embarked on a journey of some 9700km lasting 368 days were only 20 000 survived. It was planned by Mao to survive the encirclement of the KMT forces. -
Chiang Kai Shek taken prisoner.
Chiang concentrated his resources on the internal reconstruction of China and on defeating the Communists. This policy was not universally popular within the KMT and he was taken prisoner by some of his troops. Mainly Manchurians angered by the Japanese invasion. -
Period: to
Sino-Japanese War
KMT forces were quickly defeated by the Japanese and forced to retreat westwards, leaving much of Eastern China under Japanese control. -
Period: to
Second World War
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Anhui Incident
Anhui Incident ends Second United Front. -
Truce
Between CCp and KMT. -
USSR withdraws from Manchuria
Therefore, fighting breaks out between KMT and CCP. -
Mao announces land reforms
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Period: to
Battle of HuaiHai
Struggle for control of China -
KMT defeated.
KMT i defeated at the battle of HuaiHai -
CCP takes Shangai
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Republic of China proclaimed
Mao announces the establishment of the People's Republic of China. -
Chiang Kai-shek flees to Taiwan
