Final: Essays

Question 1

1. The twentieth century in China has been called a “century of revolution”. Provide examples to demonstrate a range of “revolutions” that have confronted the nation and its people. Consider a wide range of “revolutions,” including cultural, political, social, etc.

Answer 1

1. Revolution of 1911
2. May 4th Movement
3. Hundred Flowers Movement 1956 - Great Leap Forward
4. Cultural Revolution
5. Tiananmen square protests

Question 2

Revolution of 1911

Answer 2

1. Pro- reformers can see that Manchu rulers are not going to make heedway and decide best course of action is revolution - dethrone Qing
2. ends imperial rule in China
3. college students build bomb that accidentally goes off - were executed by Qing
4. many officers were influenced by revolutionary ideals and since their names were already out they decided to start revolution
5. sun yat-sen attempts to secure foreign support/uninvolveemnt

Question 3

May 4th movement

Answer 3

1. students are questioning honor of Western nations, fuels Chinese nationalism
2. Students protest at tiananmen square, protesting shandong settlement, awaken “the masses” to China’s plight, hold massmeeting, formation of beijing student union, demonstration of protest against treaty of versailles
3. Newspapers are written in plain language
4. groups sought to refine chinese culture, attacked old ways, opposed arranged marriages, advocated greater role of wo men, marxism, feminism
5. New Culture Movement: group willing to take ideas from the west, need to “cure” China
6. literary revolution: Language of the everyday chinese encouraged more than classical chinese

Question 4

purpose of cultural revolution

Answer 4

1. overthrow authority taking capitalist road
2. criticize/repudiate reactionary bourgeoisie
3. transform education, literature, and art

Question 5

2. Construct a short history of the early Chinese Communist Party (1910s-1940s) and identify the early challenges from outside and intellectual differences within the party. Highlighting Sun Yat-sen’s role where applicable.

Answer 5

1. KMT and CCP combination (CCP has strong ties with labor unions - sun wants to channel these attitudes)
2. Shanghai Massacre
3. Marxism/communism gains popularity after May 4th movement
4. division caused between Li and Chen
5. 28 Bolsheviks escape jiangxi, Long March, Zunyi conference 1935
6. CCP expected to save CKS’s life
7. U.S. “support” for KMT, Soviet “support” for CCP - Dixie mission
8. Mao and Chiang meet but neither have intentions of compromising, KMT quickly loosing land, Lin Biao switches from guerrilla warfare to conventional battle