Road to the People’s Republic

1. Road to the People’s Republic

2. European Imperialism • Late 1700s – Europe refuses to kowtow, or “bow low” to Chinese Emperor • Demanded right to trade at Chinese ports • Opium Wars – British began to sell opium from India to China. • Chinese become addicted • Drained China’s supply of silver, used to pay for drug • China tries to stop illegal drug trade by passing harsh laws • Smugglers faced death penalty • 1839 – Chinese destroy shipment of opium • War breaks out • Outdated weapons & warships no math for Britain Page 345 Civil WWII Vietnam Revolutionary 1900 WWI 1800 2000 1700

3. The Unequal Treaties • 1842 – Treaty of Nanking ends Opium War • First of “unequal treaties” • China forced to pay for destroyed opium, give Hong Kong to Britain, and open other ports for British trade • Soon, France, Russia, Germany, and USA forced China to trade with them too Civil WWII Vietnam Revolutionary 1900 WWI 1800 2000 1700

4. Increased Foreign Influence • Late 1800s – Western Powers carve up China into spheres of influence • Area in which foreign nation has special economic privileges (i.e. right to build railroads & factories) • Japan also expands into China • 1895 – Japan defeats China in war Civil WWII Vietnam Revolutionary 1900 WWI 1800 2000 1700

5. Open Door Policy • USA feared European nations might set up colonies in China • Calls on nations to support “Open Door Policy” in China • All nations should have equal access to trade w/ China • Failed Revolutionary 1900 Civil WWII Vietnam 1800 2000 WWI 1700

6. Unrest and Revolution • Loss of territory to foreigners = sign of weakness • Peasants revolt in Taiping Rebellion • 20 million die over 14 years • Chinese call for reform • “Learn the superior techniques of the barbarians to control the barbarians.” • Wanted Western technology, but Confucian culture • Boxer Rebellion (1899-1901): Anti-foreign Chinese “Boxers” aimed to expel all foreigners • Killed many Chinese Christians and foreigners • Result: Westerners organize international army, occupy China Civil WWII Vietnam Revolutionary 1900 WWI 1800 2000 1700

7. Nationalists and Communists • Nationalists: Called for nationalism • Making China a unified nation • Ending foreign domination • Supported democracy • Spoke of ensuring a decent living for all Chinese • Didn’t work. • Chinese felt strong ties to their own family, not the state • China has little experience with democracy • China’s economy was in a depression Civil WWII Vietnam Revolutionary 1900 WWI 1800 2000 1700

8. Enter the Communists • 1921 – Nationalists concerned about Chinese Communist Party (CCP) • CCP joined forces w/ Nationalists to expel foreigners & fight warlords • Nationalists turn on the Communists • Expel from Guomindang • Kill thousands of supporters • Surviving communists flee to southeastern China Civil WWII Vietnam Revolutionary 1900 WWI 1800 2000 1700

9. Mao’s Long March • 1920s–1930s: Mao Zedong emerged as leader of Communists • Believed Communists would succeed in China only by winning support of peasants • Nationalists attack Communists • Communists march 6,000 miles from southeastern China to remote northwestern province Shaanxi • 90,000 Chinese begin march • Only 7,000 survive Civil WWII Vietnam Revolutionary 1900 WWI 1800 2000 1700

10. Japanese Invade • 1931 – Japanese invade China, seize Manchuria • Chinese call on Nationalists & Communists to settle differences, fight common enemy • 1937 – Japanese launch all-out attack on China • Planes Chinese cities • Armies overrun cities • 1945 – Nationalists and Communists defeat Japan (with much help from Allies) • Mao controls north China, Nationalists control south. • Renew power stuggle Civil WWII Vietnam Revolutionary 1900 WWI 1800 2000 1700