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Opium Wars
The Opium Wars were two conflicts fought in China in the mid-19th century between the forces of Western countries and of the Qing dynasty. The first Opium War was the result of China’s attempt to suppress the illegal opium trade, which had led to widespread addiction in China and was causing serious social and economic disruption there. British traders were the primary source of the drug in China. -
Boxer Rebellion
The Boxer Rebellion was a militant uprising within China that lasted from 1898 to 1900. At its core, the rebellion was a grass-roots movement that sought to expel the unwanted influence of Western nations. The rebellion was able to gain wide support amongst the large populations of poor and unemployed in northern China. -
Fall of Quing Dynasty
During the Qing period, imperial China reached its point on power and influence. Qing was the strongest and most glorious dynasty It was also the last. After flourishing in the 18th century, it fell apart in the 19th. The fall and collapse of the Qing dynasty were caused by external and internal changes within and outside the dynasty, peasant revolts. -
The Warlord Era
the Manchus' centralized government system was far too weak to preside over all of China, especially in light of China's imperial expansion north- and south-west during the 18th century. it was necessary to allow powerful regional militias and army commanders to assume control over certain provinces in China. This anticipates the rise of the eight warlords that controlled different provinces during 1916-1927. -
May 4 Movement
The movement was initiated mainly by university students, who were angry at China’s treatment at the hands of Western powers after World War I (Versailles treaty) demanded the restoration of Chinese independence and sovereignty. Its leaders also wanted socio-political reform, namely the eradication of Confucian values and a society based on democratic government, liberal individualism, science and industry. -
Three Principles of the People
Formulated by Sun Yatsen. Inspired by Western ideas, but were adapted to the Chinese situation.- Nationalism
- Democracy
- People's Livelihood (NB: "People's Livelihood" convinced the Comintern to support the GMD because it was close to the idea of a socialist movement)
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Shangai Massacre
Guomindang forces, aided by urban gangsters and warlord militia, attacked members of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in Shanghai. Hundreds of communists were rounded up, arrested and tortured; most were executed or assassinated.
