China Flashcards
Sun Yat-sen
Founder of China’s Nationalist Party that overthrew 2000 year-old Imperialist system of government. First President of Chinese Republic.
Mao Zedong
Leader of China’s Communist Party during China’s civil war.
Chiang Kai-shek
Leader of the Chinese Nationalists during China’s civil war.
CCP
Chinese Communist Party
Years of the Chinese Civil War
1927-1949
Who won the Chinese Civil War
Communists
Population of China
1.4 Billion
China’s world rank in population
1st
China’s world rank in land area
4th
Which country has more land, the U.S. or China
U.S.
Chinese Imperialist System
Form of government ruled by emperors in which officials were appointed based on merit after passing a series of difficult exams that tested their mastery of Confucianism.
Confucianism
Philosophy that emphasizes obedience to authority, respect for elders, and the responsibility of rulers to govern benevolently.
Confucius
Chinese philosopher from 551 to 479 BCE during the Tang Dynasty. He is considered the paragon of Chinese sages who emphasized personal and government morality, correctness of social relationships, justice, kindness, and sincerity.
Reasons for Failure of Chinese Imperialism
Fatally weakened in late 19th Century by poor governance, an explosion in population that led to economic stagnation and poverty, internal rebellions, and external aggression.
Opium Wars
Two armed conflicts that pitted China against Britain and Britain/France over China’s attempt to suppress the Opium trade. China lost both times producing unequal treaties and weakened Chinese sovereignty.
Years of the Opium Wars
Mid 19th Century
Initial problems faced by Chinese Republic under Sun Yat-sen
Competing against warlords for control of various parts of the country.
Chinese Nationalist Party
Political party formed by Sun Yat-sen to fight the warlords.
Chinese Communist Party
Previous allies of the Nationalist Party against the warlords. Formed in 1921, inspired by Russian revolution with hopes of producing more radical reform in China.
Long March
Year-long, 6000 mile retreat of the Communists from the purge by the Nationalists. Of the 80,000 troops that started on the march, 10% survived. Formed a base in northwest China where Mao began consolidating his power.
Sino-Japanese War
1937-1945 war between Japan and China, sometimes referred to as the Asian Holocaust because of the estimated 10-25 million missing or dead civilians in addition to the almost 4 million missing or dead soldiers on both sides. (Pseudo-cooperation between the Nationalists and Communists during the war.)
Chinese Civil War after Japan’s Surrender
War resumed. Communists gained the upper hand and eventually won.
What happened to the Nationalists after the civil war ended?
They fled to Taiwan.
Successes of CCP rule after Civil War
Land redistribution, reduction/elimination of opium addition and prostitution, improved legal status of women, growth of economy.