The Chinese Revolution

1. The Chinese Revolution MWH C. Corning

2. China in 1900 • 1900 China was ruled by the Qing Dynasty – originally from Manchuria (north of China). • 1900 Chinese Empire had grown weak from foreign influences. • Opium War – 1839 – 1842 (British) • Second Opium War 1894-1895 (Anglo-French) • Japanese annexation of Korea and Formosa (1894-95) • Unequal treaties and treaty ports • Spheres of influence • Europeans unpopular in China and Chinese blamed the Manchus – 1850 Taiping Rebellion.

3. Boxer Rebellion 1900 • Many of the opponents of the Manchus disliked foreigners, especially Christians. • The Boxers organized a rebellion targeting foreigners and Christians. They also opposed the Manchus but the Empress Cixi won them over. • European governments organized a joint force, invaded China and captured Beijing. • Rebellion just increased dislike of foreigners and emphasized the weakness of the Manchus. • Empress tried to enact reforms (education, New Army, formation of a parliament) but too late.

4. The Revolution of 1911 • Sun Yat-sen was one of many revolutionaries who sought to overthrow the Manchus. He was a Christian, American and British educated. • He thought the only hope for China was to make itself into a Republic – need to get rid of the Manchu Dynasty. • He founded several secret societies to overthrow the Manchus by force. In 1908 the Empress Cixi dies and her nephew Puyi becomes Emperor with his uncle as regent. Prince Chun is a conservative and against reforms.

5. Revolution of 1911 • In 1911 China entered a period of economic discontent. • Harvest failure, wealthier classes protest taxes • Wuchang Rebellion • Sept 1911 rebellion in Sichuan escalates from a protest against the government to the New Army joining the rebels (Oct) to finally 15 of the 18 provinces joining the revolution (Nov)> • Provisional gov’t established in Nanjing. • Yuan Shikai made Prime Minister by Manchus in order to crush the rebels BUT he makes a deal and forces the Emperor to abdicate. • Competition for leadership between Sun Yat-sen and Yuan Shikai – Yuan “wins” the Presidency.

6. Warlord China 1912-27 • The Presidency of Yuan Shikai – 1912 to 1916 • Elections for National Assembly in 1913, new party Guomindang (Sun Yat-sen’s party) wins • Yuan ignores the Assembly and rules as a dictator, later tries to make himself Emperor (tradition of strong generals). • Opposition to the President – three groups: • Guomindang – democratic government • General and military governors of provinces • Japanese – 1915 Twenty-One Demands • The Warlords (1916 – 1927) – after Yuan’s death no one leader able to hold China together. Warlords fought with each other for control of China (civil war).

7. The New Revolutionaries 1919 –1927 • May Fourth Movement – 4 May 1919 • Protest against the decisions of the Treaty of Versailles at the end of WW1 – German “possessions” in China given to Japan. • 10,000 students in Beijing demonstrated – student rebellion spread. Development of New Tide movement. • The Communists and the Guomindang • Communism was an idea that came from outside of China. 1921 Chinese Communist Party – Mao Zedong member. • Guomindang – 1924 Three Principles/Russian support. • Period of cooperation until 1927 – Shanghai Rebellions • Chiang Kai-shek and the Northern Campaign • Goal: to unite China and end the rule of War Lords.

8. Conquest and Extermination 1928-34 • Unification of China 1928 • Guomindang occupy Beijing – capital moved to Nanjing. Establishment of National Government – Chairman. • Not true unification – lots of problems. • Jiangxi Soviet • Communists fled to Jiangxi and set up Chinese Soviet Republic with Mao Zedong as political leader. • Land Law (1930) and Red Army - win peasants’ support. • Extermination Campaigns 1930-34 • Guomindang’s military campaigns to remove the Communists. • Five campaigns – only last was successful and the Communists were on the run.

9. The Long March 1934/The United Front • The Fifth Campaign • The Long March • Mao Resumes Control (Jan 1935)