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End of the Qing Dynasty
The young revolutionists of China have been influenced by the Japanese and the Western world. This causes a revolution, resulting with the fall of the Qing Dynasty and the rise of republic China. This is the end of the dynastic cycle of China, a form of regime that was in power throughout centuries, and the beginning of the Westernized government. China is introduced into the modern era and begins to be more involved with the West. -
The Creation of the Nationalist Party
The Nationalist Party was originally a revolutionist group to overthrow the monarchy of China. As soon as China becomes a republic in 1912, the Nationalist Party becomes an official political party of China. This is one of the primal political parties that supports and practices Westernized ideals, such as democracy, in China. Although this party does not become the prevailing government of China, this is one of the groups that help China be united as a nation. -
Temporary Power of Yun Shikai
In the Chinese Republic, Yuan Shikai, a significant leader, plans of foreign loan are disapproved by the Nationalist Party of the National Assembly and so he kills the chairman of the Nationalist Party and declares himself president, and after, emperor. Yet, many oppose him, along with Japan, and so he gradually loses power and finally dies in 1916. With the disruption of the government, this leads to the Warlord Era, in which China gradually loses power as a country and yields to Japan. -
Twenty One Demands
While Japan was expanding their powers in China, the Japanese government calls for demands in which the president of China has to agree. The Twenty One Demands further enhances Japanese power in China, including placing advisers of financial, political, and police affairs in China. This ultimatum is one of the reasons that sparks the May Fourth Movement and the Chinese resentment of Japan. With their resentment of Japanese rule, Chinese citizens are able unite in order to resist Japanese rule. -
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The Warlord Era
The Warlord Era is the period in which the country of China is separated amongst different warlords. The governmental control of the lands of China is practically weak, thus, not effective. Moreover, the unity of the Chinese citizens is hindered, making them weaker to the Japanese rule. This era causes the weakness of the Chinese government and power. -
The May Fourth Movement
The Treaty of Versailles does not return the territories of the former German colonies of the Shandong Province to China. This causes uproar in China. Students and intellectuals demonstrate against the Treaty of Versailles and the Chinese government that supports Japan. Through this, more people are encouraged to participate in the government and be involved in the Western world. This movement also helps the reorganization of the Nationalist Party and the birth of the Communist Party of China -
The Creation of the Communist Party of China
During the May Fourth Movement, the Marxist ideas and beliefs were spread to the people. This helped the creation of the Marxist political party or the Chinese Communist Party. It is believed that the founders of the Communist Party are Chen Duxiu and Li Dazhao. It is the Communist Party that soon becomes the government of China, the regime in power today. -
The Northern Expedition
The Nationalist Party, with the help of the Soviet Union, starts a campaign to overthrow and defeat the warlords of the East of China. This strengthens the power of the Nationalist Party and control over the lands of China. However, when Chang Kai-Shek becomes leader of the Nationalist Party, he becomes hostile with the Communist Party and finally, attacks them. This is one of the main reasons that cause disputes between the two parties in the future. -
The Long March
The Communist Party, led by Mao Zedong, retreats from the attacks of the Nationalist Party. Because Mao Zedong is not popular in China during this period, he and the Communist Party flees to different Communist bases. The retreat starts with 87,000 Red Army soldiers and ends with less than 10,000 soldiers, marching over 9000km. The Long March saves the Communist Party, the future and lasting government of China, and also helps Mao Zedong gain admiration and support from the people of China. -
The Invasion of Japan
Japanese force reaches all the way to Nanjing, where they perform different types of atrocities, including the Nanjing Massacre. The attack of Japan unites the people of China with one cause: to drive out the Japanese. The Nationalist Party and the Communist Party temporarily unite, and the Communist Party gains the support of peasants who also wish to resist Japan. This strengthens the power of the Communist Party. -
The Civil War
A civil war breaks out in China. The two sides of the civil war are the Nationalist Party and the Communist Party. Although the Nationalist Party is supported by the Allies, the Communist Party is more powerful, from gaining soldiers who wanted to resist Japan. Chiang Kai-Shek and the Nationalist Party lose in 1949, forcing them to escape to Taiwan. It is this civil war that ensures and declares the Communist Party's authority, the regime of the People’s Republic of China. -
The People's Republic of China
Mao Zedong, the leader of the Communist Party, declares the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Mao Zedong becomes the leader of the Communist government, the regime that is still in power today. This is the government that becomes the most stabilized form of government since the end of the Qing Dynasty.
