China 1911-34 Flashcards
How long had the Manchu Qings ruled China for in 1912?
268 years
Peasants under the Manchu Qings
> Made up 85% of society.
Believed that emperors had been selected by the mandate of heaven.
Strong belief in Confucianism.
Had to wear their hair in a traditional ‘Queue’, as a sign of obedience towards the Manchu Qings.
Foreign interference in Imperial China
> European countries had gained great influence in China by using force.
Opium Wars
‘Unequal Treaties’ gave foreign powers control of Chinese ports- called ‘Treaty Ports’ (50 of them).
‘Spheres of influence’ Gave power in certain places to outside countries.
Huge resentment towards foreigners.
First Opium War
> 1839-42
> British won and the Chinese were forced to continue buying opium from India.
Second Opium War
> 1860
> Anglo-Franco army attacked Beijing and burned down government buildings.
Japanese outside intrusion.
> 1894-5
> Japanese took Korea, Taiwan and Lushun.
Women in Imperial China
> Foot binding since the Song dynasty (960-1127)
2nd Class
Arranged Marriages. Upon marriage, a girl gave up her family and became a member of her spouses. Wive’s side of family less respected.
Very traditional role.
Long Term causes of 1911 rebellion.
> Taiping Rebellion > Foreign interference > The Boxer Rebellion > Lack of an industrial revolution > Attempts at reforms failed
Short term causes of 1911 rebellion.
> 1911 harvest failed
Severe flooding of the Yangtze river (Mandate of Heaven)
Rapid population increase
Taxes were raised
Railways and infrastructure were being built by foreign countries.
Hankou bomb (1911)
The Taiping Rebellion
> 1851-64
Fertile land ruined, 600 cities destroyed, 20 million peasants killed.
Manchus only able to stop it with European help, which made them even more unpopular.
The Boxer Rebellion
> 1900
Led by the Yi Ho Tuan.
Blamed foreigners and Christians for all of their problems, and began to execute them.
Empress Cixi won them over by giving them her support.
Because of this, a six nation force invaded China and put down the rebellion.
Lost and China has to pay £67 million reparations.
The Hundred Days of Reform
> 1898
Introduced by Emperor Guangxu.
Introduced new colleges, schools and examination techniques.
Improved the budget
Dismissed corrupt officials.
Guangxu was imprisoned by Cixi and government officials and force to hand over power to her.
Consequences of China’s lack of an industrial revolution.
> Made China very isolated, with few trading partners.
> Emperors had been weakened and overtaken by foreign technological advances.
Unequal Treaties
> End of 1800’s
Gave foreign power more power in China.
Made them even more disliked by the Chinese populace.
September 1911
> Rebellion in Sichuan Province when police open fired on demonstrators.
Sun Yatsen travels there to provide help and spread the rebellion.
October 1911
> 10th October- Soldiers of the New Army in Wuchang join the rebellion.
Spreads and becomes a full scale revolution.
Hankou bomb explosion.
November 1911
> 15/18 provinces have joined the revolution.
General Yuan Shikai brought out of retirement to quell the rebellion. Made Commander in Chief and Prime minister.
However, switched sides to support the revolution.
Hankou Bombing
> October 1911
What happened to end the 1911 revolution?
> Sun Yatsen made a deal with Yuan Shikai, that if he forced Pu Yi to abdicate, he could become president of the republic.
Abdication of Pu Yi