China Dynastic China 13 ruling dynasties from 2100

China

Dynastic China • 13 ruling dynasties from 2100 BC until 1912 AD • Early dynasties developed paper, gun powder, working clocks, porcelain and other technological advances • Traded with the Europeans along the Silk Road • Some dynasties were highly organized, almost modern, bureaucracies based on civil service examinations • Other dynasties were ruled by warlords or outside conquering forces

Decline of Dynastic China • Peasants lost land, floods were common, and Western/foreign pressures contributed to its decline • Members of a Buddhist cult led the White Lotus Rebellion, a peasant uprising against taxes and government inefficiency • After the overthrow of the last Qing emperor (age 5), China became a republic (1912 -1949) – A republic means citizens elect representatives to control government & policy

The Republic of China • Put an end to more than 2000 years of imperial rule • Government ruled by the Kuomintang (KMT) • The largest challenge to their power was the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)

The Long March • In 1934, the KMT forced the CCP to retreat to northwest China • This year-long ordeal allowed Mao Zedong to get total control of the CCP and begin his Communist propaganda plan

WWII • Japan invaded Manchuria September 1931 and set up the former Qing Emperor as the head of a puppet government • The Japanese military was extremely violent its rampage of China throughout World War II • KMT leader Chiang Kai-shek was forced to partner with the CCP against the Japanese • With support from the US and USSR, the Japanese were forced out and surrendered in 1945

Conflict with the Soviets • Although allies against the Japanese during WWII, the KMT and the CCP returned to their struggle for control of China • Even though KMT forces were much larger, they were worn out from fighting the Japanese • The CCP “People’s Liberation Army” were rested and fighting a moral, not political, fight

Communist Revolution • Starting in 1946, the CCP conquered each region of China • The CCP captured the capital of Nanjing April 23, 1949 • October 1, Chaing Kai-shek and the KMT government fled to Taiwan while Mao Zedong declared the formation of the People’s Republic of China (Communist)

The Great Leap Forward • Mao attempted to get rid of any Western influences & make a truly communist country • He collectivized farms, forced all foreign steel to be melted down to produce “Chinese steel, ” and began civil engineering projects without the input of experts • The consequences were wide-spread famine with 18 -42 million deaths and a country-wide economic collapse

Cultural Revolution • Mao outlawed religion and Western cultural influences • When the Great Leap Forward failed, Mao turned his concentration to “anti-Chinese treasons” from 1966 to his death in 1976 • Religious artifacts were destroyed; scholars, artists and religious authorities were imprisoned or executed • This was an era of fear and propaganda

Life After Mao • Hua Guofeng and Deng Xiaoping succeed Mao as the leaders of the CCP • Once Deng took control, he immediately put an end to violence and oppression of the Cultural Revolution • China began to strengthen its economy by using a Western, market model

Life After Mao • Hua Guofeng and Deng Xiaoping succeed Mao as the leaders of the CCP • Once Deng took control, he immediately put an end to violence and oppression of the Cultural Revolution • China began to reinvigorate its economy by using a Western, market model • However, he did not westernize any aspects of government or social life

Tiananmen Square Massacre • People (mostly students) upset with the Communist Party began a pro-democracy protest in Tiananmen Square starting April 1989 – Younger people were influenced by Western media and culture • Beginning on the evening of June 3 rd, the military is sent to remove the 50 -100 K protesters – People attempted to block the tanks • Under martial law, the military was ordered to clear the square by 6: 00 – Between 4 -6 K were killed • The event was publicized by the Western media • The CCP was highly criticized and even condemned by governments in Western and Eastern Europe, non-communist Asia and the United States

Modern China • 4 th largest country by area • The most populated country – 1. 3 Billion – 23% of the world’s population – 1 child policy to slow population growth • Moving toward a market economy • Still a communist government • World’s fastest growing economy – Over 2% GDP growth every year – Environmental pollution