E S T A B L I S H M E N T O F T H E R E P U B L I C O F C H I N A
In the aftermath of two Opium Wars and several losses to foreign powers by the Qing Dynasty, frustration against the Manchu Government that took over the Qing court instigated revolutionary sentiments, looking to see a more unified China. Chinese in the South of China and oversees pressed for a Republican Government, establishing the Revolutionary Alliance led by Sun Yet-San. In the Autumn of 1911, after an uprising in Wuchang that turned into a nationalist revolt, Yuan Shi Kai was named Premier of China. However, the revolutionaries pledged their allegiances to Sun Yet-San, eventually making him the provisional president of the newly declared Republic of China.
REVOLUTION: With the establishment of the Republic of China also came a complete tear-down of the old system under the Manchu Government and the Qing Dynasty. The change from an authoritarian rule to a Republic is a drastic change that is not evolutionary in any way. The old system had to be completely rid of for this change to have happened.
In the aftermath of two Opium Wars and several losses to foreign powers by the Qing Dynasty, frustration against the Manchu Government that took over the Qing court instigated revolutionary sentiments, looking to see a more unified China. Chinese in the South of China and oversees pressed for a Republican Government, establishing the Revolutionary Alliance led by Sun Yet-San. In the Autumn of 1911, after an uprising in Wuchang that turned into a nationalist revolt, Yuan Shi Kai was named Premier of China. However, the revolutionaries pledged their allegiances to Sun Yet-San, eventually making him the provisional president of the newly declared Republic of China.
REVOLUTION: With the establishment of the Republic of China also came a complete tear-down of the old system under the Manchu Government and the Qing Dynasty. The change from an authoritarian rule to a Republic is a drastic change that is not evolutionary in any way. The old system had to be completely rid of for this change to have happened.
F O R M A T I O N O F T H E N A T I O N A L I S T P A R T Y
After the Xinhai Revolution and the establishment of the Republic of China with Sun Yet-San as the provisional president, Yuan Shi Kai passed away and the Nationalist Party was formed by Sun Yet-San. China was divided by warlords while the Nationalist Party could only control Southern China. Later Chiang Kai-Shek would lead the Nationalist Party, or the KMT, on a Northern Expedition that would unify much of China.
EVOLUTION The establishment of the Nationalist Party as a political party was only putting a political aprty to associate with the name of the Republic of China. The creation gave Sun Yet-San more power as a party leader and more prominence in China, but it didn’t change the roots of the system as the Revolution of 1911 had.
After the Xinhai Revolution and the establishment of the Republic of China with Sun Yet-San as the provisional president, Yuan Shi Kai passed away and the Nationalist Party was formed by Sun Yet-San. China was divided by warlords while the Nationalist Party could only control Southern China. Later Chiang Kai-Shek would lead the Nationalist Party, or the KMT, on a Northern Expedition that would unify much of China.
EVOLUTION The establishment of the Nationalist Party as a political party was only putting a political aprty to associate with the name of the Republic of China. The creation gave Sun Yet-San more power as a party leader and more prominence in China, but it didn’t change the roots of the system as the Revolution of 1911 had.
C H I N E S E C O M M U N I S T P A R T Y I S F O U N D E D
With the influence of the successful Socialist Revolution in Soviet Union led by Lenin in 1917, Marxist influences infiltrated China. The May 4th Movement in 1919 against federalism and imperialism broke out with the rise of revolutionary leaders like Chen Duxiu, Li Dazhao and Mao Zedong. These communist intellects wanted to spread Marxism and organize workers’ movements that would instigate a change in the government. On July 23rd, 1921, the first National Congress of the Communist Party was held, founding the Communist Party of China.
EVOLUTION: The birth of the Communist Party of China was not intended to overthrow the government or change the regime. It was intended to influence the government to change specific policies in regards to the distribution of wealth in the country. The change was evolutionary in its adherence to the regime.
With the influence of the successful Socialist Revolution in Soviet Union led by Lenin in 1917, Marxist influences infiltrated China. The May 4th Movement in 1919 against federalism and imperialism broke out with the rise of revolutionary leaders like Chen Duxiu, Li Dazhao and Mao Zedong. These communist intellects wanted to spread Marxism and organize workers’ movements that would instigate a change in the government. On July 23rd, 1921, the first National Congress of the Communist Party was held, founding the Communist Party of China.
EVOLUTION: The birth of the Communist Party of China was not intended to overthrow the government or change the regime. It was intended to influence the government to change specific policies in regards to the distribution of wealth in the country. The change was evolutionary in its adherence to the regime.
C I V I L W A R B E T W E E N N A T I O N A L I S T S A N D C O M M U N I S T S
The war between loyal forces to the government, the KMT or Nationalist Party, and the Communist Party of China started amidst the Northern Expedition, a military campaign against the Beiyang Government. The Northern Expedition was meant to unify the whole of China under the KMT to end the rule of the warlords and the Beiyang government. The civil war formally erupted in the aftermath of the Shanghai Massacre on April 12th when leftists of the KMT were killed by members of the CPC.
REVOLUTION: The Communist Party sought to overthrow the Nationalist forces to gain power under a unified Communist State of China, completely changing the system established by the Nationalist forces. By changing completely the regime, the Communist Party was starting a revolution.
The war between loyal forces to the government, the KMT or Nationalist Party, and the Communist Party of China started amidst the Northern Expedition, a military campaign against the Beiyang Government. The Northern Expedition was meant to unify the whole of China under the KMT to end the rule of the warlords and the Beiyang government. The civil war formally erupted in the aftermath of the Shanghai Massacre on April 12th when leftists of the KMT were killed by members of the CPC.
REVOLUTION: The Communist Party sought to overthrow the Nationalist forces to gain power under a unified Communist State of China, completely changing the system established by the Nationalist forces. By changing completely the regime, the Communist Party was starting a revolution.
M A O Z E D O N G B E C O M E S L E A D E R O F T H E C P C
Mao Ze Dong had been an important member in the Communist Party prior to becoming the leader, bringing in Lenin’s ideas that establishing a strong countryside should ultimately be the goal of China. In 1934, the survivors of the purge of Communists in the KMT established a stronghold in the North of China, and in October, Mao led 100,000 men into the mountainous areas in the west.
EVOLUTION: For the CPC, Mao’s becoming the leader of the party strengthens its powers but doesn’t change the core of the party. The ideals established by Mao are the same, but his input and ideas acquired from the influence of Lenin would eventually lead to the establishment of a unified and Communist China.
Mao Ze Dong had been an important member in the Communist Party prior to becoming the leader, bringing in Lenin’s ideas that establishing a strong countryside should ultimately be the goal of China. In 1934, the survivors of the purge of Communists in the KMT established a stronghold in the North of China, and in October, Mao led 100,000 men into the mountainous areas in the west.
EVOLUTION: For the CPC, Mao’s becoming the leader of the party strengthens its powers but doesn’t change the core of the party. The ideals established by Mao are the same, but his input and ideas acquired from the influence of Lenin would eventually lead to the establishment of a unified and Communist China.
J A P A N I N V A D E S C H I N A
Soon after the clash between Chinese and Japanese troops in northern China in the Marco Polo Bridge Incident, indications of intensified military activity alerted the Chinese, causing them to urge the Japanese government to restrain its military activity. The Japanese refused to comply, and the invasion of the Japanese on China started soonafter.
EVOLUTION: The Japanese invasion of China wasn’t meant to change any part of the government or the people. The Japanese invasion wasn’t meant to instigate change on the government. It was an attack from an outside force that started not for the purpose of changing the government but for its resources. It is an evolution because it is a slight change in the foreign affairs of the government but is not a complete change in regime or way of government.
Soon after the clash between Chinese and Japanese troops in northern China in the Marco Polo Bridge Incident, indications of intensified military activity alerted the Chinese, causing them to urge the Japanese government to restrain its military activity. The Japanese refused to comply, and the invasion of the Japanese on China started soonafter.
EVOLUTION: The Japanese invasion of China wasn’t meant to change any part of the government or the people. The Japanese invasion wasn’t meant to instigate change on the government. It was an attack from an outside force that started not for the purpose of changing the government but for its resources. It is an evolution because it is a slight change in the foreign affairs of the government but is not a complete change in regime or way of government.
P E O P L E ' S R E P U B L I C O F C H I N A E S T A B L I S H E D
The People’s Republic of China was established on October 1st, 1949. The capital was in the North of China, in Beijing, and Mao Ze Dong became chairman of the coutry. The people were defined as the workers, the peasants, the petite bourgeoisie, and the national-capitalists, all of which would be led by the CPC, most of which were of peasant origin.
REVOLUTION: The Chinese regime and governance took a 360 turn with the establishment of the People’s Republic of China. No longer was there a Republic style government, and the Communist government governed the country with socialist tendencies, a great change from the previous regime. What had been established before was stripped away, so there is no element of evolution in the process.
The People’s Republic of China was established on October 1st, 1949. The capital was in the North of China, in Beijing, and Mao Ze Dong became chairman of the coutry. The people were defined as the workers, the peasants, the petite bourgeoisie, and the national-capitalists, all of which would be led by the CPC, most of which were of peasant origin.
REVOLUTION: The Chinese regime and governance took a 360 turn with the establishment of the People’s Republic of China. No longer was there a Republic style government, and the Communist government governed the country with socialist tendencies, a great change from the previous regime. What had been established before was stripped away, so there is no element of evolution in the process.
G R E A T L E A P F O R W A R D
The Great Leap Forward was Mao Ze Dong’s attempt at modernizing the Chinese economy through developing the agriculture and industry. He believed that the industry could only prosper if the work force was well fed, letting the industry prosper to produce modern tools for agricultural workers. He established communes that provided all that was needed, including entertainment, for every twelve families. The communes would be sub-divided to specific work to do, including setting up backyard furnaces to produce steel for the communes and planting crops.
EVOLUTION: Mao Ze Dong’s Great Leap Forward is still established upon the fundamentals of the communist system, where everything is distributed communally. The amount of change that is set out by the Great Leap Forward is hardly a revolution in that it is merely a way to improve the Communist system and not a way to completely change the system.
The Great Leap Forward was Mao Ze Dong’s attempt at modernizing the Chinese economy through developing the agriculture and industry. He believed that the industry could only prosper if the work force was well fed, letting the industry prosper to produce modern tools for agricultural workers. He established communes that provided all that was needed, including entertainment, for every twelve families. The communes would be sub-divided to specific work to do, including setting up backyard furnaces to produce steel for the communes and planting crops.
EVOLUTION: Mao Ze Dong’s Great Leap Forward is still established upon the fundamentals of the communist system, where everything is distributed communally. The amount of change that is set out by the Great Leap Forward is hardly a revolution in that it is merely a way to improve the Communist system and not a way to completely change the system.
G R E A T P R O L E T A R I A N C U L T U R A L R E V O L U T I O N
A social-political movement initiated by Mao Zedong to try to eliminate capitalist and traditional elements from Chinese society. The aim of the Revolution was to attack the “Four Olds” – old ideas, culture, customs, and habits – and establish a new society based on Communist ideology. During this time, anybody who was educated or against Mao was prosecuted. The educated were also sent to the countryside to learn from the peasantry to ensure that there will be no gap between urban and rural dwellers.
REVOLUTION: During this event, virtually all forms of education or tradition were destroyed. For example, China had been following the teachings of Confucius for thousands of years. However, Confucianism was likewise censured alongside other pieces of education. Chinese society would be completely different had the Cultural Revolution succeeded.
A social-political movement initiated by Mao Zedong to try to eliminate capitalist and traditional elements from Chinese society. The aim of the Revolution was to attack the “Four Olds” – old ideas, culture, customs, and habits – and establish a new society based on Communist ideology. During this time, anybody who was educated or against Mao was prosecuted. The educated were also sent to the countryside to learn from the peasantry to ensure that there will be no gap between urban and rural dwellers.
REVOLUTION: During this event, virtually all forms of education or tradition were destroyed. For example, China had been following the teachings of Confucius for thousands of years. However, Confucianism was likewise censured alongside other pieces of education. Chinese society would be completely different had the Cultural Revolution succeeded.
M A O Z E D O N G D I E S
Mao Zedong was in poor health in 1976. On September 2 of that year, Mao suffered a heart attack, multiple organ failures, and fell into a coma. He died one week later.
REVOLUTION: As the key leader of the Chinese Communist Party and the general communist movement in China, his death led to a power vacuum. Shortly after his death, the left-wing Gang of Four and right-wing reformers fought for power. Deng Xiaoping eventually won the power struggle in 1980. His reforms would overhaul many of the prevailing Maoist policies and usher a new era of strong economic growth in China.
Mao Zedong was in poor health in 1976. On September 2 of that year, Mao suffered a heart attack, multiple organ failures, and fell into a coma. He died one week later.
REVOLUTION: As the key leader of the Chinese Communist Party and the general communist movement in China, his death led to a power vacuum. Shortly after his death, the left-wing Gang of Four and right-wing reformers fought for power. Deng Xiaoping eventually won the power struggle in 1980. His reforms would overhaul many of the prevailing Maoist policies and usher a new era of strong economic growth in China.
D E N G X I A O P I N G B E C O M E S C H I N A ' S L E A D E R
Deng Xiaoping implemented a new economic system that he called “socialism with Chinese characteristics.” Under this system, China opened up to the world. The economy became more market-oriented and dependent on heavy industry, foreign trade and investment, and private companies, replacing central planning and collective farms of the Mao era. Farmers were allowed to decide what to produce and sell, tariffs were cut, and Special Economic Zones were set up in major port cities.
REVOLUTION: For much of the 20th century, China’s economy experienced severe hardship and failures (such as Mao’s failed Great Leap Forward). Deng’s reforms overhauled that system and started over 20 years of strong economic growth for China, allowing the country to claim the place of the world’s second largest economy.
Deng Xiaoping implemented a new economic system that he called “socialism with Chinese characteristics.” Under this system, China opened up to the world. The economy became more market-oriented and dependent on heavy industry, foreign trade and investment, and private companies, replacing central planning and collective farms of the Mao era. Farmers were allowed to decide what to produce and sell, tariffs were cut, and Special Economic Zones were set up in major port cities.
REVOLUTION: For much of the 20th century, China’s economy experienced severe hardship and failures (such as Mao’s failed Great Leap Forward). Deng’s reforms overhauled that system and started over 20 years of strong economic growth for China, allowing the country to claim the place of the world’s second largest economy.
T I A N A N M A N M A S S A C R E
For several weeks in 1989, thousands of protestors, most of them students, occupied Tiananmen Square in Beijing, refusing to move until the government implemented democratic reforms. In an attempt to end the protest, the Chinese army fired into the crowd on June 3. A few hundred protestors were killed, and while protestors anticipated violence, the attack took everyone by surprise. As a result of this event, China drew international condemnation.
EVOLUTION: While the massacre drew much attention, nothing much changed in China. The protests were an outcome of power struggles within the Communist Party. Additionally, democratic reforms were not implemented nor did the Communist Party lose its grip over the Chinese government.
For several weeks in 1989, thousands of protestors, most of them students, occupied Tiananmen Square in Beijing, refusing to move until the government implemented democratic reforms. In an attempt to end the protest, the Chinese army fired into the crowd on June 3. A few hundred protestors were killed, and while protestors anticipated violence, the attack took everyone by surprise. As a result of this event, China drew international condemnation.
EVOLUTION: While the massacre drew much attention, nothing much changed in China. The protests were an outcome of power struggles within the Communist Party. Additionally, democratic reforms were not implemented nor did the Communist Party lose its grip over the Chinese government.
D E N G X I A O P I N G D I E S ; J I A N G Z E M I N B E C O M E S C H I N E S E L E A D E R
Jiang Zemin became China’s president after the Tiananmen Square incident. After suffering from failing health for three years, Deng Xiaoping died of Parkinson’s Disease and lung infection in February of 1997.
EVOLUTION: Jiang’s goal was to continue strong economic growth, social ability, and maintain the Communist Party’s power, similar to that of his predecessor.
Jiang Zemin became China’s president after the Tiananmen Square incident. After suffering from failing health for three years, Deng Xiaoping died of Parkinson’s Disease and lung infection in February of 1997.
EVOLUTION: Jiang’s goal was to continue strong economic growth, social ability, and maintain the Communist Party’s power, similar to that of his predecessor.
S E P T E M B E R 1 1 A T T A C K S
The September 11 (9/11) attacks in the United States saw the World Trade Center towers in New York City and part of the Pentagon destroyed, leaving almost 2000 dead. In response to the attacks, the US and much of the Western world launched the “War on Terrorism” in an attempt to eradicate terrorist activity from the world.
EVOLUTION: Jiang Zemin expressed “shock” and “opposed all manner” of terrorism. While this event drew international attention, China was not directly affected. At the same time, China would be concerned with the proximity of US troops to its borders (invasion of Afghanistan). In the future, China may continue to invest in Central Asia as a way to fight domestic terrorism (Uyghur extremist groups are allegedly trained by groups such as al-Qaeda).
The September 11 (9/11) attacks in the United States saw the World Trade Center towers in New York City and part of the Pentagon destroyed, leaving almost 2000 dead. In response to the attacks, the US and much of the Western world launched the “War on Terrorism” in an attempt to eradicate terrorist activity from the world.
EVOLUTION: Jiang Zemin expressed “shock” and “opposed all manner” of terrorism. While this event drew international attention, China was not directly affected. At the same time, China would be concerned with the proximity of US troops to its borders (invasion of Afghanistan). In the future, China may continue to invest in Central Asia as a way to fight domestic terrorism (Uyghur extremist groups are allegedly trained by groups such as al-Qaeda).
H U J I N T A O S U C C E E D S J I A N G A S H E A D O F C C P A N D P R E S I D E N T O F P E O P L E ' S R E P U B L I C O F C H I N A
In November of 2002, Hu Jintao succeeded Jiang Zemin as head of the CCP and president of China. In 2003, Jiang was nominated as chairman of the People’s Liberation Army, indicating conflict between Hu and Jiang.
EVOLUTION: Like Jiang and Deng, Hu’s goal was to continue China’s strong growth and maintain the power of the Communist Party.
In November of 2002, Hu Jintao succeeded Jiang Zemin as head of the CCP and president of China. In 2003, Jiang was nominated as chairman of the People’s Liberation Army, indicating conflict between Hu and Jiang.
EVOLUTION: Like Jiang and Deng, Hu’s goal was to continue China’s strong growth and maintain the power of the Communist Party.
C H I N A H O S T E D O L Y M P I C S I N B E I J I N G
In 2008, China hosted the most expensive Olympics game in history. Spending around 40 billion USD, taking the most gold medals, and greatly improving Beijing’s air quality, China’s success as a host impressed much of the international community.
EVOLUTION: Beijing’s success at being the host of the 2008 Olympics did not significantly change anything within the country. However, its success brought increased domestic support for the Communist Party and at the Chinese government.
In 2008, China hosted the most expensive Olympics game in history. Spending around 40 billion USD, taking the most gold medals, and greatly improving Beijing’s air quality, China’s success as a host impressed much of the international community.
EVOLUTION: Beijing’s success at being the host of the 2008 Olympics did not significantly change anything within the country. However, its success brought increased domestic support for the Communist Party and at the Chinese government.
CITED RESOURCES:
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/great_leap_forward.htm
http://www.chaos.umd.edu/history/prc.html
https://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/intrel/WorldWar2/china.htmhttp://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CHINAcommunist.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_Civil_War#Communist_insurgency_.281927.E2.80.931937.29
http://www.china.org.cn/english/features/45981.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuomintang
http://history.state.gov/milestones/1899-1913/ChineseRevhttp://depts.washington.edu/chinaciv/graph/9wenge.htm
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/mao-zedong-dies
http://factsanddetails.com/china.php?itemid=79
http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/june/4/newsid_2496000/2496277.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/february/19/newsid_2565000/2565613.stm
http://www.nytimes.com/2001/09/12/us/reaction-from-around-the-world.html
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/great_leap_forward.htm
http://www.chaos.umd.edu/history/prc.html
https://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/intrel/WorldWar2/china.htmhttp://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CHINAcommunist.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_Civil_War#Communist_insurgency_.281927.E2.80.931937.29
http://www.china.org.cn/english/features/45981.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuomintang
http://history.state.gov/milestones/1899-1913/ChineseRevhttp://depts.washington.edu/chinaciv/graph/9wenge.htm
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/mao-zedong-dies
http://factsanddetails.com/china.php?itemid=79
http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/june/4/newsid_2496000/2496277.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/february/19/newsid_2565000/2565613.stm
http://www.nytimes.com/2001/09/12/us/reaction-from-around-the-world.html