China midterm

Question 1

1. What contributed to the Economic Reforms?

Answer 1

Who: Deng Xiaoping, a pragmatic leader, along with other reform-minded officials like Zhao Ziyang and Hu Yaobang.

What: The economic reforms introduced major changes like the introduction of market forces, allowing some level of private enterprise, and establishing Special Economic Zones (SEZs).

Where: Across China, with special economic zones as early testing grounds, like Shenzen and Shanghai.

When: 1978, after Mao Zedong’s death.

Why: To revitalize China’s economy which was lagging due to years of strict socialist policies and economic stagnation. The economic reforms were driven by the failures of the Maoist planned economy, which had led to inefficiencies, food shortages, and low productivity. The leadership wanted to increase economic output, modernize industry, and improve living standards

Question 2

2. What is the goal of China’s economic reforms in the post-Mao era?

Answer 2

Who: Led by Deng Xiaoping with support from party members like Chen Yun and Zhao Ziyang.

What: The main goals were to modernize the economy by introducing market-based reforms and open china to global trade. (Improve living standards, increase GDP, limit capitalism.

Where: Across China, especially in newly established Special Economic Zones like Shenzhen and other coastal cities.

When: The goals were set during the Third Plenum of the 11th Central Committee in 1978, marking the beginning of the reform era.

Why: To improve living standards and modernize the economy to ensure the survival of communist party.

Question 3

3. What are the “Four Modernizations” and their historical significance?

Answer 3

agriculture, industry, science and technology, defense

Who: Introduced by Deng Xiaoping, based on a concept originally proposed by Zhou Enlai

What: They focused on modernizing agriculture, industry, national defense, and science and technology.

Where: Nationwide, but their impact was significant in major industrial areas like Guangdong and Shanghai

When: Launched officially in 1978, though the ideas had been developing since the early 1960s

Why: The Four Modernizations were crucial for transforming China into a global economic power by transitioning from a centrally planned economy to a more market-driven system

Question 4

4. What is the “Fifth Modernization” and its historical significance?

Answer 4

Who: The term “Fifth Modernization” was coined by Wei Jingsheng, a political activist who criticized the Chinese government.

What: It referred to the demand for democracy in addition to the original 4 modernizations.

Where: Wei Jingsheng posted his call for democracy on the Democracy Wall in Beijing

When: The term was first used in 1978, as part of the growing pro-democracy movements

Why: While the economic reforms were transforming the material aspects of life in China, activists like Wei argued that without political reforms, the country would remain fundamentally unfree. Its significance lies in its challenge to the Communist Party’s rule and its highlighting of the limits of economic reform without political freedoms.

Question 5

5. What are the major achievements and challenges of China’s economic reforms?

Answer 5

Who: Led by Deng Xiaoping, supported by other leaders like Zhao Ziyang, with later reforms continued under Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao.Chinese people.

What: Major achievements include rapid GDP growth, the rise of China as a global economic power, and lifting hundreds of millions out of poverty.

Where: Successes were seen across China, especially in urban areas like Shanghai and Shenzhen, which became major economic hubs

When: The most noteworthy progress occurred from 1978 to the 2000s, though growth continues into the present.

Why: The reforms helped modernize China, integrate it into the global economy, and create new opportunities for Chinese citizens. However, challenges such as income inequality, corruption, and environmental degradation remain

Question 6

Major economic acheivments

Answer 6

• Economic Growth: China has become the world’s second-largest economy with sustained high GDP growth.
• Poverty Reduction: Over 800 million people lifted out of poverty since the reforms began.
• Global Trade: China is now the largest trading nation for both imports and exports.
• Urbanization: Significant rural to urban migration has led to massive infrastructure development.
• Technological Advancements: China is a global leader in sectors like telecommunications and renewable energy.

Question 7

Major challenges to china economy

Answer 7

• Environmental Degradation: Severe pollution and resource depletion pose threats to health and sustainability.
• Income Inequality: Growing disparities between urban and rural areas, and among different regions.
• Aging Population: Demographic shifts challenge labor markets, healthcare, and pensions.
• High Debt Levels: Significant debts accumulated by local governments and state-owned enterprises risk economic stability.
• Socio-political Issues: Limited political reforms lead to censorship and human rights concerns, affecting social stability

Question 8

Land that failed to fail thesis:

Answer 8

China’s unique blend of state-led capitalism, coupled with strategic economic reforms and political control, has fueled its rise and bolstered the CCP’s resilience, allowing it to keep its strong power.

Question 9

china economic reforms: land that failed to fail

Answer 9

a. Market Liberalization

b. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)

c. Infrastructure Development

Question 10

Political control - land that failed to fail

Answer 10

a. Authoritarian Governance

b. Surveillance and Censorship

Question 11

Nationalism and Cultural Resilience - LTFTL

Answer 11

a. Promotion of Nationalism

b. Cultural Heritage and Identity

Question 12

Why could the Manchus, an ethnic minority group, rule China for over two and a half centuries?

Answer 12

Who: The Manchus, led by emperors like Kangxi and Qianlong, ruled China under the Qing Dynasty

What: They established a centralized government, balanced Han Chinese officials with Manchu administrators, and used the Banner System to maintain military and social control.

Where: The Qing Dynasty ruled over all of China, with its capital in Beijing

When: The Manchus ruled China from 1644 to 1911

Why: The Manchus succeeded by incorporating Confucian traditions into their rule, utilizing military strength, and maintaining a balance of power with Han Chinese elites. The Manchus maintained control through military conquest, strategic alliances with Chinese elites, adaptation of Chinese culture and administrative systems, and effective governance that kept the majority Han Chinese populace under control.

Question 13

What was the social mobility for an ordinary Chinese young man in Qing China? How could he rise in Chinese society?

Answer 13

Who: Ordinary Chinese men, primarily scholars and students

What: Social mobility was achieved through passing the Civil Service Examinations, which allowed a man to rise to the rank of a scholar-official.

Where: This system operated across China, but the most prestigious positions were in Beijing.

When: The examination system was in place throughout the Qing Dynasty

Why: Success in the exams granted one access to the bureaucracy, the highest level of society, and brought significant prestige and wealth

Question 14

3. Based on the assigned readings, what were Chinese women’s lives like during the late Qing period, especially regarding marriage and education?

Answer 14

Who: Women in Qing China, particularly in urban areas

What: Women had limited rights, and their lives were largely defined by marriage, arranged by families. Few women received formal education, although reformers later advocated for women’s rights.

Where: This was a widespread practice across China, although urban areas like Beijing and Shanghai saw more reform movements.

When: This was particularly the case during the late Qing period, from the mid-19th century until the early 20th century.

Why: Traditional Confucian values placed women in subordinate roles, though advocates for reform began pushing for changes in education and marriage laws near the end of the Qing Dynasty.

Question 15

4. The Civil Service Examinations and their importance in the Qing Dynasty.

Answer 15

Who: The civil service candidates and officials. Young men.

What: The Civil Service Examinations were a rigorous system of tests based on Confucian texts that selected government officials.

Where: Examinations were conducted across China, with final exams held in Beijing for the top candidates

When: This system existed throughout the Qing Dynasty, until its abolition in 1905

Why: The exams were critical to maintaining a meritocratic bureaucracy and legitimized the rule of the Qing emperors by promoting Confucian values.

Question 16

5. What was the first Opium War and its historical significance? Was the War inevitable?

Answer 16

Who: The conflict was between China (ruled by the Qing) and Britain

What: The First Opium War (1839–1842) was fought over British trade of opium in China, which was banned by the Qing government.

Where: The war took place primarily along the southern Chinese coast, including Canton (Guangzhou)

When: The war began in 1839 and ended with the Treaty of Nanjing in 1842

Why: Britain wanted to continue profiting from the opium trade, while China sought to end it due to the social and economic damage it caused. The war was inevitable due to the conflicting economic interests of the two nations

Question 17

7. What was the First Sino-Japanese War and its historical significance?

Answer 17

o Who: China (Qing Dynasty) and Japan.

o What: The First Sino-Japanese War was a conflict primarily over control of Korea.

o Where: Major battles occurred in Korea and the Yellow Sea.

o When: The war occurred from 1894 to 1895.

o Why: The war
\demonstrated the Qing Dynasty’s weakness and the consequences of Japan’s successful modernization. It led to the Treaty of Shimonoseki, which ceded Taiwan to Japan and marked a significant loss of sovereignty for China(Reforms2016).

Question 18

8. The Boxer Protocol and its importance.

Answer 18

o Who: The Qing government, the Boxers (a Chinese secret society), and the allied forces of several Western countries and Japan.

o What: The Boxer Protocol was an agreement signed to settle the aftermath of the Boxer Rebellion.

o Where: The protocol was signed in Beijing.

o When: The protocol was signed in 1901.

o Why: It was important because it imposed severe penalties on China, including heavy indemnities and increased foreign military presence, further weakening Qing sovereignty and exacerbating anti-foreign sentiment in China(Reforms2016).

Question 19

1. What was the 1911 Revolution? What contributed to the rise of the 1911 Revolution? Who were the 1911 revolutionaries? What was the historical significance of the 1911 Revolution?

Answer 19

o Who: Led by revolutionaries like Sun Yat-sen and supported by various anti-Qing groups.

o What: The 1911 Revolution involved the overthrow of the Qing Dynasty and the establishment of the Republic of China.

o Where: The revolution began in Wuchang and quickly spread across China.

o When: The revolution occurred in 1911.

o Why: Contributing factors included widespread dissatisfaction with Qing rule, influence from foreign ideas of democracy, and military defeats that discredited the Qing government. It was significant as it ended over two thousand years of imperial rule in China and established the first republic in Asia(The 1911 Revolution and…)(The Early Republic1).

Question 20

2. Why did China fall to Warlordism? Why did the 1911 Revolution fail to produce a true republic in China?

Answer 20

o Who: Various military leaders and factions, known as warlords.

o What: The period of Warlordism involved fragmented control over China by various military leaders.

o Where: Throughout China, particularly in the north.

o When: After the 1911 Revolution, particularly during the 1910s and 1920s.

o Why: The revolution failed to establish a strong central government, leading to power vacuums filled by warlords. This fragmentation prevented the consolidation of a true republican government and led to prolonged instability(The Early Republic1).

Question 21

3. What was the May Fourth Movement? What contributed to the rise of the movement? In what ways was the May Fourth Revolution different from or similar to the 1911 Revolution? What was the historical significance of the movement?

Answer 21

o Who: Primarily students, intellectuals, and workers.

o What: The May Fourth Movement was a cultural, political, and anti-imperialist movement.

o Where: It began in Beijing and spread across major Chinese cities.

o When: The movement peaked on May 4, 1919.

o Why: It was triggered by the Treaty of Versailles’ decisions, which transferred German concessions in China to Japan rather than returning them to Chinese control. It differed from the 1911 Revolution by focusing more on cultural and intellectual renewal and less on outright political change. Its significance lies in its profound impact on Chinese nationalism and modern Chinese identity(The Early Republic1).