Imperialism, Nationalism and Civil War Flashcards
What are the 12 most central arguments of the ‘From Empire to the People’s Republic’ reading?
- Centralisation of Power
- Influence of Confucianism
- Interaction with Non-Han Peoples
- The Challenges Faced by Self-Strengtheners
- Imperial Losses and Foreign Threats
- The Hundred Days Reform and Kang Youweis Influence
- The Era of Warlordism
- The May Fourth Movement
- The Rise of Mao Zedong and the Chinese Soviet Republic
- Mao’s Land Reforms
- Japanese Aggression and Chinese Resistance
- Factors Leading to Communist Victory
Name and Describe the 1st argument from the reading
Centralization of Power: The first significant concept is the centralization of power initiated by Qin Shi Huangdi, the leader of the Qin state, in the early second century BCE. This centralized empire temporarily subdued the political centrifugal forces inherent in Chinese feudalism. However, tensions between the central government and regional/local authorities remained a persistent issue throughout the history of the Chinese empire and into the Republic period (1912-1949).
Name and describe the 2nd argument from the reading
Influence of Confucianism: The second important concept is the influence of Confucianism on Chinese governance. During the Han dynasty, there was a shift towards adopting the ideas and approach to governance advocated by Confucius (Kong Fuzi), who lived in the late fifth century BCE. The Han dynasty established a rudimentary civil service examination system that placed a strong emphasis on testing mastery of Confucianism. This system became a unifying force in Chinese society, providing ideological and cultural unity.
Name and describe the 3rd argument from the reading
Interaction with Non-Han Peoples: The third significant concept is the ongoing interaction between Han Chinese within the Great Wall and non-Han peoples, such as Mongols, Manchus, and Turkic groups, beyond the Wall. This interaction involved periods of conflict, including raids and invasions, as well as periods of Chinese expansion into steppe lands. Over time, this dynamic evolved into a complex “dialogue” of power, with outsiders ruling parts of North China. This history has shaped the Chinese government’s policies towards ethnic minorities in the early twenty-first century.
Name and describe the 4th argument from the reading
The Challenges Faced by Self-Strengtheners: The text discusses the efforts of the self-strengtheners in China, who sought to modernize the country in response to foreign threats. They established institutions like the Zongli Yamen to oversee diplomatic, educational, and technological efforts. However, they faced resistance from conservative elements in the imperial court who were apprehensive about the impact of Western contact on Chinese traditions.
Name and describe the 5th argument from the reading
Imperial Losses and Foreign Threats: The text highlights significant territorial losses suffered by China in the late 19th century, including the Ryukyu Islands, Vietnam, and Korea, which were considered important tributary states. These losses were attributed to aggressive actions by Japan and France, indicating a new wave of imperialism. The Sino-Japanese War of 1894–1895, in which China suffered a humiliating defeat, is particularly emphasized.
Name and describe the 6th argument from the reading
The Hundred Days Reform and Kang Youwei’s Influence: The text introduces the Hundred Days Reform of 1898, a movement to reform state institutions led by the scholar-official Kang Youwei. He advocated for radical institutional change, and his reinterpretation of Confucianism played a crucial role in challenging traditional beliefs. The reform agenda included revamping the examination system, establishing a national school system, and modernizing various aspects of governance.
name and describe the 7th argument from the reading
The Era of Warlordism: After the death of Yuan Shikai, China descended into a period of chaos known as the Warlord Era. Warlords, provincial leaders with significant military power, vied for control of the government and Beijing. This era was marked by political instability, corruption, and violence.
name and describe the 8th argument from the reading
The May Fourth Movement: The May Fourth Movement, which took place in 1919, was a significant intellectual and cultural revolution. It emerged in response to the unfair treatment of China in the aftermath of World War I and the Versailles Peace Conference. The movement advocated for political and cultural change, including the adoption of more democratic principles and the rejection of traditional Confucian values.
name and describe the 9th argument from the reading
The Rise of Mao Zedong and the Chinese Soviet Republic: Mao Zedong’s leadership in the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Chinese Soviet Republic in the Jiangxi-Fujian border area. This region became a base for experimentation with land reform and class struggle, with the recognition that the peasant class was a key force for revolutionary change.
name and describe the 10th argument from the reading
Mao’s Land Reform and the Long March: Mao Zedong’s land reform policies and the subsequent Long March were pivotal events in the early history of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Land reform sparked violence and unrest, and the Long March was a 370-day forced march covering about six thousand miles, leading to the survival of only about 10 percent of those who participated.
name and describe the 11th argument from the reading
Japanese Aggression and Chinese Resistance: The text highlights Japan’s aggressive expansion in Asia, particularly in Korea and Manchuria, leading to conflicts with China. Chiang Kai-shek’s initial attempts to resist Japan were hindered by internal divisions and a lack of military strategy. The war with Japan resulted in significant atrocities, including the infamous Rape of Nanjing, and led to collaborationist regimes in certain areas.
name and describe the 12th argument of the reading
Factors Leading to Communist Victory: The CCP’s success in the Chinese Civil War was influenced by a combination of military strategy, mass mobilization, and pragmatic approaches to local situations. The CCP effectively mobilized the masses through tactics like class struggle, struggle meetings, and land reform. Their pragmatic strategy recognized the importance of understanding specific locales and building coalitions with local leaders to gain support.
describe the foreign encroachment on China by foreign powers and the reasons behind this method
- Qin empire too powerful and too big to actually colonize, so France, UK drafted treaties (limited Chinas negotiation power) which will advantage them to impose their influence.
- This is a form of quasi-colonization used to have economic concessions and extra territorial rights for foreign powers, as these areas would not be under Chinese law.
what is the consequence of this foriegn rule
Consequence: growth of a movement to strengthen China and nationalist resistance to Western influence.
China comes up with new ideas and ideologies on how to confront imperialism while also trying to stay away from Western methods and ideals.
This reflection is driven by thinkers with international experience - allows for comparative analysis of China
Goal = stay strong, be stronger while staying Chinese.
what happens to China following WW1 and how does this encourage Japan as a colonial power
Japan becomes a rising and expansionist power who
- beat Russia in 1904-05 in colonising Korea and China
- were given German ruled territories
- ruled China until 1945 (defeated in Sino-Japanese War 1895 before Russia)
This encourages their colonial power as
- they were the most powerful (had control over the Korean War by treaty concessions as a protectorate)
- had a strong economy, which was science and technology driven
How did the Russian Revolution of 1917 influence China
The birth of the Soviet Union brings forth Communism - the answer China was looking for
- it was a practical ideology, a new organised structure as a response to imperial powers and industrialisation
Promoted by Lenin, believed in the Vanguard (working class conscious leaders for revolution)
Communist International (ComIntern [1919]) offered China funds, networks, training and tactics for revolution through direct training with Moscow’s Communist University
How did WW2 affect China
Japan had tried and succeeded to take over China during Chinas Civil War
Conflict between Communist Party and the KMT on the back burner during Japan invasion
After WW2, Japan surrenders in 1945, the civil war is reignited and CCP wins
why did the Qing Empire fall?
Governed China from 1636 to 1912
Fell on the 12th of Feb 1912
- Drained funds by revolts and rebellion - tested legitimacy and challenged unity
- Dissolved power made it difficult to enforce central authority
- rising popular discontent
- calls for a strong independent nation
- Japanese and Western interventions
What followed the fall of the Qing Empire
Sun Yat-Sen founded the Kuomintang (KMT) (nationalist party) advocating for nationalism and peoples rights
However, weak fragmented state led governing forces to split (dissociated and still under influence). Yuan Shikai takes over, declares an empire but dies in 1916)
when and what was the warlord era
warlord era (1919-1926) sees weak central authority with rival factions and violent struggles for central powers
- 6 presidents and 25 cabinet due to warlord rivalries
All have military power
what happened in the post warlord era
Chiang Kai Shek takes KMT army in 1925 to unify China
describe and date the beginning of the communist parties influence in China
begins in 1921, ComIntern works with CCP and the KMT, suggests to unite military forces to force out Japan and foreign influence and address communism later (weak relationship)
KMT is larger in numbers than CCP (communists encouraged to join KMT)
what occured in Shanghai in 1927
The Shanghai Massacre 1927 - KMT purges thousands of communists in Shanghai due to distrust and weak party relations
CCP retreats and rebuilds in countryside, underground forces in urban areas
what was the Long March and what were its main consequences
from 1934 -1935, 86,000 CCP members marched 6000 miles through China while being attacked by KMT , only 6000 survive and settle in Yunan
Mao emerge as the leader of the party
Japan is still influential in and invading China, KMT and CCP try a united front, amassing millions of troops to oust Japan due to heavy loss of life
once Japan retreats, the united front ends in 1949 - the KMT flees to Taiwan (intakes 2m mainlanders)
in 1949 (oct 1st), the Republic of China becomes the Peoples Republic of China, and the communist party becomes head authority
what is Chinas role during the Korean war
North Korea invades the South (1950), US positions its naval forces between China and Taiwan to prevent escalation
China sends a million troops to NK (‘war to assist Korea and resist America)
