Lecture 07 - China's Communist Revolution Flashcards
What did Huntington’s “Varieties of Revolution”(1983) argue about revolutions?
It argues that “true” revolutions only occur in “modernizing” or “transitioning”
societies.
What is the contrast of “Western” and “Eastern” regimes?
“Western”
-Weak, traditional regime (monarchy)
disintegrates with a minimum of force
exerted against it.
“Eastern”
-Narrowly-based but modernizing
regimes (imperial governments or
military dictatorships
What do “Western” regimes struggle with?
Struggle between moderates and
radicals to determine the scope of
revolutionary change.
What do “Eastern” regimes require?
Requires armed insurrection to
overthrow
What is the contrast of “Western” and “Eastern” in terms of transition?
“Western”
-Moves from urban to rural
“Eastern”
-Moves from rural to urban
When does emigration peak in a “Western” regime?
Emigration peaks at the beginnings of the process.
What happens to moderates in an “Eastern” regime?
Moderates join one side or the other or are eliminated
What is the contrast of “Western” and “Eastern” in terms of violence and terror?
“Western”
-Violence and terror in the later stages
(against moderates or other original
members of the revolutionary coalition)
“Eastern”
-Violence and terror at an earlier stage
Argues that “true” revolutions only occur in “modernizing” or “transitioning”
societies
What is the first segment of a Confucian social structure?
Scholar/gentry:
Landed and literate they
staff the royal
bureaucracy
What is the second segment of a Confucian social structure?
Farmers:
Produce food and
pay taxes
What is the third segment of a Confucian social structure?
Artisans:
Make beautiful and
useful objects
What is the fourth segment of a Confucian social structure?
Merchants:
Sell objects created
by peasants and
artisans
What event highlighted the differing paths of China and Japan in response to Western contact?
The Sino-Japanese War (1894-95).
What was the outcome of the Sino-Japanese War, and how did it affect China?
Japan achieved a decisive victory over the Qing Dynasty, leading to introspection within the dynasty and increased imperialist pressures.
What period of reform was attempted in the Qing Dynasty after the Sino-Japanese War?
The “Hundred Days of Reform” from June to September 1898.
Who resisted the “Hundred Days of Reform” in the Qing Dynasty?
The Dowager Empress, Cixi.
What was the Boxer Rebellion, and when did it take place?
The Boxer Rebellion was an anti-foreign, anti-Christian uprising that took place from 1899 to 1901.
How did the Qing Dynasty respond to the Boxer Rebellion?
The Qing Dynasty backed the Boxers and declared war on Western powers.
Who was Sun Yat-sen, and why is he significant in Chinese history?
Sun Yat-sen (1866-1925) was a key figure in the discussion of reform beyond the Qing Dynasty, advocating for modernization and republicanism in China.
How did the outcome of the Boxer Rebellion impact the reform movement in China?
The defeat in the Boxer Rebellion pushed the discussion of reform beyond the Qing Dynasty, eventually leading to a broader push for modernization and political change.
What are the Three People’s Principles proposed by Sun Yat-sen?
The principles are Minzu (Nationalism), Minquan (Democracy), and Minsheng (People’s Welfare).
What is the Principle of Minzu in the Three People’s Principles?
Minzu represents “nationalism” and focuses on populism or “the people’s rule/government.”
What does the Principle of Minquan stand for?
Minquan represents “democracy” or “The People’s Power.”
What is the focus of the Principle of Minsheng?
Minsheng focuses on “The People’s Welfare” or livelihood, promoting a kind of social welfare.
Who proposed the Three People’s Principles, and where is this information sourced from?
The Three People’s Principles were proposed by Sun Yat-sen.
What was the Qing Dynasty’s plan to reform the Empire in 1911?
The Qing Dynasty attempted to centralize power back into the hands of the government, but this effort was weakened by financial issues.
How did the Chinese Republican Revolution of 1911 begin?
It began accidentally on October 9, 1911, in the city of Wuhan when rebels seized control of the city and invited others to join them.
Why was the Qing Dynasty unable to respond effectively to the 1911 Revolution?
The Qing was hampered by financial weakness and a lack of support from Western powers, who many had assumed would back the Qing authority.
Who did both the Qing Dynasty and foreign powers turn to for restoring order in 1911?
They turned to Yuan Shikai (1859-1916) to restore order.
What was significant about the election in Nanjing in December 1911?
Sun Yat-sen was elected president, marking a shift toward republicanism.
Why was Sun Yat-sen’s position as president limited after his election?
Sun Yat-sen lacked control of an army or any military forces, making it difficult to challenge the warlords’ power.
What marked the end of the Qing Dynasty in February 1912?
Empress Dowager Longyu abdicated, officially ending the Qing Dynasty and proclaiming a republican government.
What was the significance of Empress Dowager Longyu’s abdication?
It signified the end of imperial rule in China and the establishment of a republican government.
What type of government followed the fall of the Qing Dynasty?
A series of weaker central governments took power after the fall of the Qing.
What political party did Sun Yat-sen establish on August 25, 1912, and for what purpose?
Sun Yat-sen formed the Guomindang (GMD) to oppose Yuan Shikai’s government in elections.
What was the result of the Guomindang in the first National Assembly election in February 1913?
The Guomindang won an overwhelming majority, but Yuan Shikai ignored the parliament.
How did the First World War impact China?
It led to a revival of Japanese imperialism and increased pressure on China.
What were the “Twenty-One Demands” made by Japan on January 8, 1915?
They were demands for greater control over Chinese territory and resources, pressuring China’s sovereignty.
What event marked the beginning of the Warlord Era in China?
The death of Yuan Shikai in 1916 led to the start of the Warlord Era (1916-1928).
When did China declare war during World War I, and what was its significance?
China declared war in August 1917, aligning with the Allies in hopes of regaining control over its territories.
What was the May Fourth Movement, and what sparked it?
The May Fourth Movement was a protest against the Paris Peace Conference’s decision to transfer the German concession in Shandong to Japan, instead of returning it to China.
Which port did Italy retain as part of the Paris Peace Conference decisions, and when did Italy acquire it?
Italy retained the port of Tianjin, which it acquired following the Boxer Rebellion.
What event created the conditions for the formation of the Chinese Communist Party in 1921?
The failure of the May Fourth Movement and a revival of Chinese nationalism.
When and why was the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) founded?
The CCP was founded in July 1921 to create a model for making China rich and strong, inspired by the USSR.
Why did Chinese communists look to the USSR as a model?
They admired the USSR’s model for equality, social justice, and the creation of a new state under Lenin
How did Confucian culture influence the appeal of Marxism in China?
Confucian culture’s values aligned with Marxism’s promise of a complete understanding of the world and society.
What was the Sun-Joffe Manifesto, and what did it lead to in 1923?
The Sun-Joffe Manifesto was an agreement between the Soviet Union and the GMD, leading to a unified effort by the Comintern, the GMD, and the CCP to unify China.
How did Sun Yat-sen’s death in 1925 affect the Chinese nationalist movement?
Sun Yat-sen’s death created an opportunity for Chinese nationalists to pursue unification by force, with Sun becoming a martyr figure.
What was the May the Twentieth Movement in 1925, and where did it occur?
The May the Twentieth Movement was a nationalist protest movement in Shanghai in 1925.
What kind of support did the Soviet Union provide to the CCP and GMD during this period?
The Soviet Union provided material and financial aid to support their unification efforts in China.
What was the political situation in northern China during this time?
Northern China was experiencing political chaos, which contributed to the urgency for national unification.
What was the Northern Expedition, and when did it take place?
The Northern Expedition was a military campaign led by the GMD from 1926 to 1928 to reunify China.
Who led the GMD force that reached Wuhan during the Northern Expedition, and what did they establish?
Wang Jingwei led the GMD force to Wuhan, where he declared the establishment of the Nationalist government in January 1927.
Which GMD leader reached Nanjing in March 1927, and what action did he take against the leftists?
Chiang Kai-shek reached Nanjing and moved against Wang Jingwei and the leftist faction within the GMD.
What argument did Chiang Kai-shek use to justify his actions against the leftists in the GMD?
Chiang argued that the leftist faction had betrayed the Three People’s Principles by taking orders from the Soviet Union.
What was the outcome of the April 7, 1927, GMD meeting regarding communist influence?
The meeting declared communist ideology and influence as socially and economically disruptive, leading to a purge of Communists.
What event began on April 12, 1927, and what is it also known as?
The purge of Communists began on April 12, 1927, known as the Shanghai Massacre.
Approximately how many people were killed during the Shanghai Massacre?
An estimated 25,000 people, including most of the CCP leadership, were killed in a matter of days.
What did Mao Zedong and a small group of CCP survivors do following the Shanghai Massacre?
Mao Zedong and a handful of survivors fled to the mountains to escape the purge.
What was the result of the Northern Expedition for Chiang Kai-shek?
Chiang Kai-shek extended control over much of eastern and central China.
How did Mao Zedong and the CCP approach their revolution from 1930 to 1934?
Mao and the CCP conducted a “People’s War” in collaboration with the Red Army, mobilizing the peasantry to fight local militias and the GMD.
What three stages of revolution did Chiang Kai-shek announce the GMD would follow?
The stages were military unification, political tutelage, and constitutional democracy, as approved by Sun Yat-sen.
What role did the CCP play in Mao’s strategy during the Chinese Civil War?
The CCP served as the Vanguard, leading the revolutionary efforts alongside the Red Army.
How did the Red Army contribute to Mao’s strategy?
The Red Army mobilized the peasantry to fight against local militias and GMD forces, effectively using guerrilla tactics.
What action did Chiang Kai-shek take against the CCP’s growing influence?
Chiang launched multiple campaigns to suppress the communists.
What was the Long March, and when did it occur?
The Long March was a strategic retreat by the CCP and the Red Army to evade the GMD, occurring from 1934 to 1935.
What was the Xi’an Agreement, and why was it significant?
The Xi’an Agreement, signed in December 1936, established the “Second United Front” between the GMD and CCP to resist Japanese imperialism.
How did the CCP’s approach differ from the GMD’s during the war years (1937-1945)?
The CCP waged a guerilla war in the countryside, limiting casualties and continuing policy implementation, while the GMD fought a conventional war in cities with higher casualties.
What happened to the rivalry between the GMD and CCP after World War II?
The rivalry intensified after WWII, as both sides competed for control of China.
Why did the GMD and CCP form the Second United Front in 1936?
They united in response to renewed Japanese imperialism threatening China.
What challenges did the GMD face during World War II?
The GMD suffered from high casualties, corruption, and poor leadership, which weakened its position.
Why was Manchuria significant in the post-war period?
Manchuria was occupied by the USSR, which allowed the CCP to access discarded Japanese weapons before the GMD could reoccupy the area.
What was significant about the year 1947 in the Chinese Civil War?
Known as the “Year of Decision,” Stalin committed support to the CCP, while the US concluded that Chiang Kai-shek and the GMD were likely to lose.
How did Soviet actions in Manchuria benefit the CCP?
Soviet troops allowed the CCP to claim Japanese weapons, strengthening their military capabilities.
What did the US conclude about Chiang Kai-shek’s position in 1947?
The US concluded that Chiang Kai-shek and the GMD were unlikely to win against the CCP.
What did the CCP recognize in 1949 regarding China’s transition to socialism?
The CCP recognized that the average Chinese citizen was not yet ready for a full transition to socialism.
What core goals did the CCP’s rural base support after 1949?
The rural base supported goals of good governance, land reform, social justice, and peace.
What was the “New Democracy” period, and when did it take place?
“New Democracy” was a transitional period from 1949-1953, modeled after Lenin’s NEP, intended to build popular support for socialism and develop China’s industrial base.
Why did the CCP implement the “New Democracy” phase?
To give time to convince people of socialism’s benefits and to build the industrial base necessary for agricultural mechanization.
What was the Great Leap Forward, and when did it begin?
The Great Leap Forward, from 1953-1960, was an initiative to transition China to socialism, focusing on collectivization and communal living.
What was the First Five-Year Plan (1953-1958) aimed at?
The First Five-Year Plan aimed at industrial development and the collectivization of agriculture.
How did communal living contribute to the goals of the Great Leap Forward?
Communal living was designed to break down traditional bonds and promote collective societal values.
What social groups were targeted during the Great Leap Forward’s social revolution?
The landlord class and “bureaucratic capitalists” were targeted in the social revolution.
Who rose to prominence, temporarily sidelining Mao Zedong in the CCP?
Liu Shaoqi rose to prominence, sidelining Mao Zedong, who was referred to as being “like Buddha on the shelf.”
What influential publication was released in 1964 that reflected Mao’s thoughts?
“Quotations from Chairman Mao Zedong,” also known as the “Little Red Book,” was published in 1964.
What international rift influenced Mao’s policies and approach to the Cultural Revolution?
The Sino-Soviet Split influenced Mao’s approach, leading to a policy of self-reliance in China.
What was the Cultural Revolution, and when did it begin?
The Cultural Revolution was a campaign initiated by Mao in 1966 to purge the CCP and restore revolutionary zeal, lasting until 1969 (or 1976, depending on the interpretation).
What were the “Four Olds” that Mao sought to eliminate during the Cultural Revolution?
The “Four Olds” were old customs, old culture, old habits, and old ideas
What was the primary goal of the Cultural Revolution?
The primary goal was to purge the CCP of perceived capitalist and traditional elements and to recapture the revolutionary spirit among the Chinese people.
