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Zeng Guofan
Qing General, formed the Hunan Army to fight the Taiping Rebellion
His success led to the rise of regional militaries, weakening central authority
Led to strengthening confucian values in Qing China. -
Period: to
Hong Xiquan
(1814–1864) a Chinese religious leader and revolutionary who led the Taiping Rebellion, one of the largest and most devastating civil wars in history. He claimed to be the younger brother of Jesus Christ and founded the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom. -
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Reign of Emperor Daoguang
During the reign of Emperor Daoguang (1821–1850), the British East India Company's monopoly on trade between Britain and China ended in 1834, allowing private traders to smuggle opium into China in exchange for silver. This caused an outflow of silver, leading to the opium crisis and increased taxes on Chinese peasants. -
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Li Hong Zhang
Subordinate to Zeng Guofan
Raised his own army to fight the Taiping Rebellion
Signed the Treaty of Shimonoseki after the first Sino-Japanese War -
Period: to
Empress Dowager Cixi
Empress of the Qing Dynasty, initially a consort to the previous emperor and later regent to her son Tongzhi and nephew Guangxu
After the previous emperor's death, Cixi started a coup, seizing power.
Tonzhi death lead to Guangxu becoming emperor
Had significant influence over Qing politics until her death. -
Politician Lin Zexu (1839)
Lin Zexu tried to suppress the opium trade by destroying lots of opium at Humen, a critical event provoking the first Opium War (1800s). -
Treaty of Nanjing cedes Hong Kong Island to Great Britain in perpetuity
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Period: to
Taiping Heavenly Kingdom
The Taiping Heavenly Kingdom (1851–1864) was a theocratic and quasi-Christian state established by Hong Xiuquan during the Taiping Rebellion in southern China. Claiming divine authority as the "younger brother of Jesus Christ," Hong led a movement against the Qing Dynasty, promoting radical social reforms, including land redistribution and gender equality. -
Period: to
Self Strengthening Movement (1861-1895)
The Self-Strengthening Movement (1861–1895) was a period of reform in late Qing Dynasty China, initiated by officials like Li Hongzhang and Zeng Guofan. Aimed at modernizing China's military, industry, and infrastructure by adopting Western technology while preserving Confucian values, the movement focused on building arsenals, shipyards, and railroads. -
Period: to
Yuan Shikai (1859-1916)
Leader of the most advanced ching Military under Empress Cixi
Tasked with fighting the rebels in the 1911 Revolution, negotiates peace but leads to abdication of the Qing Dynasty
Becomes the second President of the Republic of China -
1st Convention of Peking cedes the Kowloon Peninsula to Great Britain in perpetuity
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Period: to
Tongzhi Restoration (1862-1874)
Qing Empire, led by Cixi, attempt to restore stability and strengthen its military and economy
Driven by confucian values
Led to a stronger navy, better guns.
During this time, the Qing also fought over Vietnam with the French, but the Qing lost.
Delayed the Qing dynasty’s collapse but didn’t fully modernize China. -
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Sun Yatsen (1866-1925)
- Revolutionary leader who traveled the world to gain support from overseas chinese.
- Organized the Revolutionary Alliance in Tokyo, uniting reform minded Chinese
- Involved in multiple uprisings and the 1911 Revolution. Comes back and becomes the first president of the Republic of China.
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Period: to
1st Sino-Japanese War
The First Sino-Japanese War (1894–1895) was a conflict between Qing Dynasty China and Meiji Japan over control of Korea. Fought primarily in Korea and parts of northeastern China, the war ended with Japan's decisive victory, formalized in the Treaty of Shimonoseki. -
Treaty of Shimonoseki
The Treaty of Shimonoseki, signed in 1895, ended the First Sino-Japanese War between Qing Dynasty China and Meiji Japan. Under the treaty, China ceded Taiwan, the Pescadores Islands, and the Liaodong Peninsula to Japan, recognized Korea's independence and paid a large indemnity. -
The Hundred Days Reform
The Hundred Days Reform (1898) was a short-lived, ambitious modernization initiative led by Emperor Guangxu and reformist intellectuals like Kang Youwei and Liang Qichao in Qing Dynasty China. It aimed to implement sweeping political, educational, military, and economic reforms to strengthen the state in the face of foreign threats. -
2nd Convention of Peking cedes New Territories to Great Britain for 99 years
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Period: to
The Boxer Rebellion
The Boxer Rebellion (1899–1901) was an anti-foreign, anti-Christian uprising in northern China led by the secret society known as the "Boxers" (Yihequan). Fueled by resentment toward foreign influence and missionary activities, the movement targeted foreign nationals, Chinese Christians, and symbols of Western imperialism. -
1905 Qing Reforms
The 1905 Qing Reforms, initiated by the Qing Dynasty in the early 20th century, were a series of modernization efforts aimed at strengthening the state in response to internal and external crises. Key reforms included the abolition of the traditional imperial examination system, the establishment of a modern education system, and the introduction of constitutional principles. -
Period: to
New Culture Movement (1910s - 1920s)
The New Culture Movement (1910s–1920s) was an intellectual and cultural movement in early Republican China, initiated by figures like Chen Duxiu and Hu Shi. Centered around universities and journals such as New Youth, it criticized Confucian traditions and advocated for modernization, democracy, science, and individualism. -
Republican Revolution / 1911 Revolution / Xinhai Revolution
The Republican Revolution, also known as the 1911 Revolution or Xinhai Revolution, was a revolutionary movement in China that led to the overthrow of the Qing Dynasty and the establishment of the Republic of China. Occurring between October 10, 1911, with the Wuchang Uprising, and the abdication of Emperor Puyi in 1912, the revolution was driven by reformist and nationalist leaders like Sun Yat-sen. -
The Kuomintang (KMT) is founded
founded in 1912 by Sun Yat-sen that played a central role in Chinese politics during the 20th century. It led the Republic of China after the fall of the Qing Dynasty, unified China during the 1920s, and fought against both Japanese occupation and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) during the mid-20th century. -
Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is founded
founded in 1921 by figures like Chen Duxiu and Li Dazhao, is the ruling political party of the People's Republic of China. Emerging as a revolutionary Marxist-Leninist movement, it gained power after defeating the Kuomintang (KMT) in the Chinese Civil War and establishing the People's Republic of China in 1949 under Mao Zedong. -
Period: to
Northern Expedition
The Northern Expedition (1926–1928) was a military campaign led by the Kuomintang (KMT) under Chiang Kai-shek to unify China by defeating regional warlords who had fragmented the country after the fall of the Qing Dynasty. Beginning in southern China, the campaign successfully consolidated much of the country under KMT control, establishing a central government in Nanjing. -
Period: to
Nanjing Decade
The Nanjing Decade (1927–1937) refers to the period in which the Kuomintang (KMT), under Chiang Kai-shek's leadership, established its government in Nanjing after the Northern Expedition and the Shanghai Massacre. During this time, the KMT focused on modernizing China's infrastructure, economy, and education, while combating Communist insurgency and Japanese aggression. -
Massacre in Shanghai
The Massacre in Shanghai, also known as the Shanghai Massacre or the April 12 Incident, occurred on April 12, 1927, when Chiang Kai-shek and the Kuomintang (KMT) launched a violent purge of Chinese Communist Party (CCP) members and labor unionists in Shanghai. This event marked a turning point in the Chinese Civil War, as the KMT severed its alliance with the CCP, which had been formed during the First United Front to fight warlords. -
New Life Movement
The New Life Movement (1934) was a cultural and social reform campaign launched by Chiang Kai-shek and the Kuomintang (KMT) in China. Centered in Nanjing, it aimed to promote Confucian values, discipline, and civic virtue while countering the influence of Western individualism and Communist ideology. -
Bank Run in Shanghai
The Bank Run in Shanghai occurred in 1935 during the financial instability of the Republic of China. Triggered by fears of currency devaluation and loss of confidence in the Nationalist government's fiscal policies, depositors rushed to withdraw funds, leading to a crisis in the banking sector. -
Xi'an Incident
The Xi'an Incident (December 1936) was a political crisis in which Chiang Kai-shek, leader of the Kuomintang (KMT), was kidnapped by his generals, Zhang Xueliang and Yang Hucheng, in Xi'an. The generals, frustrated by Chiang's focus on suppressing the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) instead of resisting Japanese aggression, demanded a united front against Japan. -
Bloody Saturday (1937) (Event)
Three month battle during the Second Sino-Japnese War, where KMT forces tried to stall the advancing Japanese army. -
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Nanjing Massacre (Rape of Nanking)
The Nanjing Massacre (December 1937–January 1938), also known as the Rape of Nanking, was a brutal atrocity committed by Japanese troops after capturing the Chinese city of Nanjing during the Second Sino-Japanese War. Over six weeks, soldiers carried out mass killings, sexual violence, and widespread looting, resulting in the deaths of an estimated 200,000 to 300,000 civilians and prisoners of war. -
Marco Polo Bridge Incident
The Marco Polo Bridge Incident occurred on July 7, 1937, near Beijing, when a clash between Japanese and Chinese troops escalated into a full-scale battle. This incident marked the start of the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937–1945), as Japan used the conflict as a pretext to invade China more aggressively -
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Lei Feng (1940-1962)
A Chinese soldier in the People’s liberation army celebrated for his selflessness and humility.
After his death in an accident, he was used as propaganda, always holding a red book.
“Learn from lei feng” encouraged people to follow his example of loyalty to the CCP. -
Hong Kong Begins to industrialize
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Second United Front (1945)
Mao and Chiang-Kaishek discussed working together to fight the Japanese. Discuss peace after, but tension is still high.
The CCP, backed by the Soviet Union, defeated the US supported KMT.
Strong peasant support and soviet aid lead to CCP’s win, forming the People's Republic of China in 1949. -
Period: to
Great Leap Forward
The Great Leap Forward (1958–1962) was a radical economic and social campaign launched by Mao Zedong in the People's Republic of China. Aimed at rapidly industrializing the economy and collectivizing agriculture, it introduced policies like communal farming and backyard steel production. -
Period: to
Cultural Revolution
The Cultural Revolution (1966–1976) was a sociopolitical movement launched by Mao Zedong in the People's Republic of China to reassert his authority and preserve Communist ideology by purging perceived "bourgeois" and "counter-revolutionary" elements. Led by radical groups like the Red Guards, it resulted in widespread chaos, persecution, destruction of cultural heritage, and disruption to education and the economy. -
Period: to
Red Guards (Phase) (1966-1967)
Student led paramilitary that attacked the Four Olds: Old Ideas, Culture, Customs, and Habits
Attacked schools, historical sites, religious structures, party officials. Created chaos.
People's Liberation Army (PLA): Brought in to restore order after Red Guards caused widespread anarchy -
Riots from protests against the colonial government
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The Third Plenum
The Third Plenum of the 11th Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), held in December 1978 in Beijing, was a pivotal meeting that marked the beginning of China's Reform and Opening-Up era under Deng Xiaoping. At this meeting, the CCP shifted its focus from class struggle to economic modernization, endorsing market-oriented reforms and decollectivization of agriculture. -
Thatcher – Deng meeting, Joint Declaration
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Handover / Retrocession of all of Hong Kong to PRC
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Umbrella Movement Protests
The Umbrella Movement Protests occurred in Hong Kong in 2014, driven by pro-democracy activists demanding universal suffrage and opposing China's decision to vet candidates for Hong Kong's Chief Executive election. Named for the umbrellas protesters used to shield themselves from tear gas, the movement involved large-scale sit-ins and demonstrations in areas like Admiralty and Mong Kok. -
Anti-Extradition Bill Protests
The Anti-Extradition Bill Protests occurred in Hong Kong in 2019, sparked by a proposed bill that would allow extradition of criminal suspects to mainland China. Protesters feared the bill would undermine Hong Kong's judicial independence and expose residents to unfair trials under China's legal system. The protests escalated into a broader pro-democracy movement, involving mass demonstrations and clashes with authorities.