Main Idea: Western economic pressure forced China to open
to foreign trade and influence. After the fall of the Qing dynasty, nationalist
and Communist movements struggled for power.
A.
Background
1.
Qing dynasty: early 1800s, China has little interest in
trading with Western nations; self-sufficient; healthy agricultural economy;
silks
2.
British: import tea and smuggle opium into China
a.
Opium War (1839): British refuse to stop trading opium
b.
Treaty of Nanjing (1842): China defeated, British get Hong
Kong
c.
1844—US and other foreign citizens: extraterritorial
rights, provided exemption form Chinese law
3.
Internal Problems: poverty & political corruption;
Taiping Rebellion—14 years, Chinese discontent with Qing dynasty
4.
Reform: resists modernization, self-strengthening movement
produces some change
a.
Western nations & Japan gain spheres of influence
b.
Open Door Policy: US assures trading rights for all nations
& protects China from colonization
5.
Nationalism Grows
a.
Dowager Empress Cixi & others prevent changes to
China’s traditional government
b.
Boxer Rebellion: Chinese frustration with the government
and foreigner privilege; Society of Harmonious Fists (Boxers); failed
c.
Qing Dynasty work on reforms; restructure government
B.
Nationalists Overthrow Qing Dynasty
1.
Group: Kuomintang—Nationalist Party
a.
Establish New Republic of China
2.
Leader: Sun Yixian, president; pro-Western democracy;
failed to secure national unity
3.
WWI: Treaty of Versailles gave Japan territories previously
held by Germany,
a.
May 4th Movement (1919): nationwide protests;
showed commitment to goal of making China a strong, modern nation—some
supported Sun, others supported Lenin’s brand of Soviet communism
C.
Communist Party
1.
Western democracies fail to support Sun; Kuomintang ally
with Communist Party (Mao Zedong) & befriends Lenin/Soviets
2.
Jiang Jieshi:
headed Kuomintang after Sun’s death; turns from Communist party—forms
Nationalist Republic Party; formally recognized by Britain & US; made
promises of democracy & political rights=no change
a.
Peasants support Mao Zedong & Chinese Communists
D.
Civil War
1.
Jiang’s army surrounds the Communists’ stronghold, forcing
them to flee
a.
1934-Long March: Mao & Communist forces forced to make
6,000 mile-long journey
b.
Suspension of War: Japan invades Manchuria (1931) &
China (1937); both sides join forces to fight Japanese