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Qing/Manchu Dynasty
The Qing (Pure) dynasty, was the last Chinese dynasty established in 1644, and which lasted 300 years until 1911. -
First Opium War
Series of military engagements fought between the UK and the Qing dynasty over diplomatic relations, trade, administration in China. Britain defeated China, and subsequently, the Chinese Empire was carved up into spheres of influence by Europeans, Americans, and Japan. China was forced to sign unequal treaties: foreigns had extraordinary control over Chinese trade, territory, and sovereignty. Also, internal inflation and corruption weakened the financial and social position of the Quing dynasty. -
The Taiping Rebellion
A radical and religious upheaval during the 19th century. It lasted for some 14 years (1850-64), time in which multiple provinces fought against the Qing Dynasty. It was only put down after the death of millions of Chinese. Is important to mention, that this rebellion irrevocably altered the Qing dynasty, and that the involvement of regional armies began the move away from centralized control, which would result in the Warlord Era. -
The Self-Strengthening Movement
It was a period of reform in China. It was essentially a response to increasing Western power and influence in China, and was an attempt to resist and redress the concessions that China had been forced to agree to. China modernized the fields of industry and defense using Western techniques. "Learn Barbarian methods to combat Barbarian threats" -
Boxer Rebellion
Or the Boxer Uprising, was an anti-foreign, anti-colonial, anti-Christian uprising, led by a Chinese secret organization Yihequan (“Righteous and Harmonious Fists”) against the spread of Western and Japanese influence. Thousands of people were persecuted, their property destroyed and killed. This continued until foreign troops intervention and the implementation of the Boxer Protocol in 1901. -
Double Tenth / The fall of the Qing Dynasty
In October 1911, the Qing dynasty was overthrown in a Revolution: Double Tenth. The revolution began when the government lost control of the military; soldiers in Wuchang revolted and rebellion spread quickly. Most provinces then declared themselves independent. A republic was created, in an attempt to seize the political initiative, and Dr. Sun Yixinan was invited to be China's first president. -
The rule of Yuan Shikai
Yuan ruled the country as a military dictator from 1912 until 1915, 12 of the 18 provinces were under his control, and regionalism continued under his rule and became the key obstacle to a united China. During 1914 he ignores and destitute the parliament, a year later, Yuan felt confident enough to try to make himself emperor (3 groups of opposition appear against this idea) After his death in 1916, central government collapse, fight for power started. -
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World War I
Also known as the First World War or the Great War, was a global war originating in Europe that lasted from 28 July 1914 to 11 November 1918. -
Warlord Era
It was a period after Yuan Shikai death when national authority in China disintegrated and the country broke apart into a jigsaw of regions, each controlled by powerful local leaders. These leaders fought against each other in order to expand their territories and wealth. In was a period of extreme poverty, starvation, cruelty, and fear. Thousands of people died, some assassinated, other by hunger or because of the terrible live conditions. -
The Fourth May Movement
Was an anti-imperialist, cultural, and political movement led by students in Beijing, protesting against the Chinese government's weak response to the Treaty of Versailles, especially allowing Japan to receive Shandong. These demonstrations sparked national protests and marked the upsurge of Chinese nationalism, a shift towards political mobilization and away from cultural activities, and a move towards a populist base rather than intellectual elites. -
First United Front
In order to unify China, the GMD and the CCP unified their forces. Both parties agreed that China needed to be free of foreign imperialist powers and warlords. Together they set up the "Northern Expedition" in 1926 to crush the warlords of central and northern China; the operation was a success, in 2 years they had destroyed the power of the warlords. After this, GMD announced that it was the legitimate government of China and the new capital and seat of government would be Nanjing -
GMD attacks the CCP
It seemed to GMD that the CCP needed to be crushed before China could truly be unified under them. All the communists from the GMD were expelled, attacks and killings on the communists reached a peak in Shanghai in the "White Terror" in April 1927. Similar attacks were carried in other cities, in what became known as the "Purification Movement". CCP was nearly crushed by the end of 1927 and they were forced to retreat into Jiangxi in order to survive. Mao wanted revenge and the country.
