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The Opium Wars
Britian began to export opium, an addictive drug, into China. The Chinese government outlawed it but Britian still continued to ship it. When China broke a shipment of Britian's opium war broke out. In the end China lost, lacking the new technology and advancements. They were forced to accept Britian's unequal treaties. This marks the beginning of China's rode to catching up and trying to once again be a world power after being isolated for so long. -
Taiping Rebellion
A 14 year long rebellion against the Qing dynasty, ending in 1865. 20 million people died from famine. This called for modern reforms; adopt western technology, change factories, send men abroad. -
Boxer Rebellion
During the Qing dynasty, a group called the Fists of Righteous Harmony opposed Foreignors. Westerners called them 'boxers'. Empress Ci Xi supported their efforts to expell all missionaries and other foreignors. Europe and America quickly formed an army that ended the rebellion. -
End of the Dynasties
The royal family dynasties end. Dr. Sun Yatsen becomes the first President. He has three major goals: Nationalism, unify China and end foreign domination, Democracy, a representative governement, and Livelihood, decent jobs for all Chinese citizens. -
Nationalists vs. Communists
Chiang Kai-Shek takes power as head of the Nationalist Party and president, after Sun Yatsen's death. Mao Zedong is leader of the Communist Party, winning over the peasents. Chiang tries to kick out the Communist Party and kill supporters. This will lead to the Long March -
The Long March
A 1 year, 6000 mile journey. Communists fled from the Nationalists from South East to North West China. This was a turning point, boosting the Communist Party morale because if they were able to surive this, they could do anything. -
A Totalitarian State
Mao Zedong takes power. Using propaganda and the PLA, he controlled the citizen's public and private lives. He uses many tactics to end foreign domination and improve the economy, particularly inspired by philosopher Karl Marx. Some of his plans fail, most notably the Great Leap Forward. -
4 Modernizations
Deng Xiaoping becomes President. He eases the government's strict control, welcomes foreign investement, and changes the economy to manufacturing light consumer goods. His four modernizations were agriculture, industry, science and technology, and army. These changes caused the economy to boom in a short period of time. More cities, new wealth, and China is affected by global economic swings. Despite these great changes, serious environmental problems and other issues have been created.
