Conflict and Change in China 1911-1989

B5: Conflict, Crisis and Change: China 1911-89

• This topic focuses on key events and the idea of change in China between 1911 and 1989.
• Understanding key events and linking them to explain changes is important for exam question C.
• Essential to study key events and changes for revision.

1.) The 1911 Revolution (10th October 1911)

• Long-term Causes: Decay of Qing government (weak emperors, corruption), low troop morale, distrust in Manchu rule. Role of Empress Dowager Cixi (opposition to reforms). Political decentralization (weak control of provinces).
• Short-term Causes: Rise of Nationalist Movement (Sun Yat-sen's Tongmenghui), coordinated anti-Qing protests, Dr. Sun's organized uprisings (1907-1911). Immediate cause: The Railway Problem (government's attempt to nationalize railways, opposition from gentry, landowners and merchants).
• What happened? Uprising in Wuchang (planned for 16th October, moved to 10th October due to discovery of revolutionary plans; city captured by 11th October). Military government of Hubei formed. 15 other provinces declared independence from Qing Dynasty. Yuan Shikai appointed Prime Minister of the Imperial cabinet. Sun Yat-sen returned to China (elected President in December 1911). Republic of China declared on 1st January 1912. Yuan Shikai inaugurated as President on 10th March 1912.
• Effects: End of Qing Dynasty (2,000+ year system), new form of government. Failure of Democracy (Sun Yat-Sen's Chinese Nationalist Party won elections but democracy not established, Yuan Shikai ignored constitution, became dictator). Little social/economic reform occurred. Increased foreign aggression (unequal treaties, like the Twenty-One Demands in 1915) meant China remained weak.

2.) May Fourth Movement (May 4th 1919)

• Long-Term Cause: New Culture Movement (disillusionment with traditional Chinese culture).
• Immediate Cause: Treaty of Versailles: China's desire for Shandong province (betrayal by Allies).
• What happened? Explosion of yearning for change (particularly amongst students). Protest in Beijing (3,000 students in Tiananmen Square protested against Japan's claim to Shandong). Establishment of a student union ('May 4th movement') and protests across China.
• Effects: Cultural Turning Point (social classes collaborated, traditional values challenged, people more receptive to change). Intellectual Turning Point (opposition to western-style democracy; emergence of new ideologies like Marxism and the CCP formation in 1921).

3.) The Warlord Period (1917-1928)

• How did it begin? Yuan Shikai took over but failed to become Emperor. Many provinces declared independence; Southern provinces rebelling.
• What happened? Military governments and competing groups (north/south divide). Warlords struggled for power. Economic issues, taxation (warlords/peasants) and corruption.
• How was it ended? Sun Yat-sen appealed to the USSR for help. Whampoa Military Academy established in Canton and supported by the USSR (weapons/military training). Formation of the National Revolutionary Army (NRA) that fought and won/united China. The Nationalist government in Nanjing was established.

4.) The Kuomintang (1917-1925)

• Early Life (1894-1913): The Kuomintang (KMT) started as the 'Revive China Society'. Founded by Dr. Sun Yat-sen (nationalism/democracy).
• **Re-establishment (1919-1925):**KMT reformed, HQ established in Guangdong Province (1920). USSR aid (1923), Soviet advisers/weapons. Leninist structure. Unity with the CCP.
• Road to Victory (1925-1928): Sun Yat-sen died in 1925; Chiang Kai-shek became leader. The Northern Expedition (1926-28). Aim was to unite China.

5.) The Chinese Communist Party (1921-Present)

• Early Life (1921-1927): Originated in May 4th Movement (Marxism/Leninism). Formed by Li Dazhao and Chen Duxiu (1921). Support from the USSR (financial/military).
• Civil War and WW2 (1927-1949): Chiang Kai-Shek attacked the CCP (1927 Shanghai Massacre). CCP fled, fought back and formed the Red Army. Second United Front (against Japan).
• Ruling Party (1949-Present): CCP declared the People's Republic of China on 1st October 1949 (Mao Zedong). Various leaderships (Mao Zedong, Hua Guofeng, Deng Xiaoping, Jiang Zemin, Hu Jintao, Xi Jinping).

6.) The Long March (1934-1935)

• Causes: Growth of Jiangxi base areas. KMT extermination campaigns.
• What happened? CCP forced to flee from KMT forces. 80,000 Communists crossed the Gan River and started the westward march. Facing the army; crossing rivers and mountains; Facing/adapting to war; difficult journeys; splitting into corps but finally arriving in Shanxi in 1935.
• Effects: CCP survived/rebuilt for 12 years. Propagandist success (CCP image). Mao's strengthened position (unchallenged leader).

7.) War with Japan (1937-1945)

• Causes: Mukden Incident (1931) and invasion of Manchuria. Xi'an Incident (1936) and pressure for fighting Japan first. Marco Polo Bridge incident (1937).
• What happened? Japan swept through China (1937-1941). KMT retreated. Second United Front (1936/7).
• Effects: KMT weakened (unprepared for war against Japan). CCP strengthened (control over rural areas; peasant support).

8.) The Northern Expedition (1926-1928)

• Causes: Killing of Sun Yat-sen in 1925. Eagerness of Chiang Kai-shek to destroy the warlords and unite China.
• What happened? NRA fought important warlords (Zhang Zuolin of Manchuria, Wu Peifu in the Central Plain, and Sun Chuanfang). CCP propaganda/bribery aided NRA success.
• Effects: Warlord's forces were severely weakened and defeated. Communist forces also benefited by the defeat of KMT enemies, whilst the communists also benefited from popular support during this period. Unified China under KMT leadership in 1928.

9.) The Shanghai Massacre (12th April 1927)

• Causes: CCP expansion. Problems with foreign interests/concessions. The split in the KMT (right and left wings).
• What happened? The KMT (right wing) violently suppressed the CCP. Killing of communists and CCP sympathizers.
• Effects: Split in KMT (disruption to the United Front). CCP forced to flee to Kiangsi Province and armed struggle ensued.

10.) The Chinese Civil War (1945-1949)

• Long-term Causes: Chiang’s conduct during the war (unpatriotic). Corruption/lack of trust.
• Short-term Causes: Divided country (KMT in south/central China) and CCP in north/northeast China.
• Immediate Causes: Failure of mediation (US/USSR).
• What happened? KMT initially took the initiative but suffered setbacks (lost ground/cities). PLA's strategy of conventional warfare (mass attacks, captured railways), effective against KMT.
• Reasons for CCP victory: Military factors. Political factors (peasant support). Economic factors. Foreign support. Mao's personality.
• Effects: CCP declared the People's Republic of China.

11.) Mao's Early Changes (1949-1953)

• Political Problems: Proving effective government. Dealing with criminals/bandits. Ex-KMT sympathisers and resistance.
• Economic Problems: War damage (devastated economy). Agricultural production, famine.
• Changes: One-party state (suppressed other parties). Land reform. Economic measures (nationalised banks, fixed goods’ prices).

12.) The First Five-Year Plan (1953-1957)

• Reasons for Change: Creating a socialist country. Agriculture grouping into collective farms.
• Changes: Agricultural collectivisation (mutual-aid teams). Industrial development. Consumer goods' production secondary.
• Success?: Positive results (e.g., industrial growth). Failures (reduced agricultural production; bureaucratic issues; quantity over quality).

13.) The Hundred Flowers Campaign (1956-1957)

• Causes: Mao's desire for criticism/'improving' the CCP.
• What happened? Massive calls for criticism and discussion within the central government led to a torrent criticism. Mao had expected feedback but was shocked by intensity and turned his anger on those critics.
• Effects: Suppression (exiled/killed).

14.) The Great Leap Forward (1958-1962)

• Motives: Rapid industrialization/socialism.
• What happened? Creation of communes; vast increase in industrial targets (often impossible).
• Failures?: Industrial targets unrealistic; failure of collectivised farming; bad harvests/droughts.
• Effects?: Millions died (Great Famine). Economic collapse; loss of support; damage to CCP image.

15.) The Cultural Revolution (1966-1969)

• Causes: Power struggle. Political/ideological disagreement. Mao's distrust of professionals/bureaucrats.
• What happened? Mao launched Red Guards (students/youth groups) to attack all who opposed him (e.g., traditional culture, education – 'Four Olds"). Political turmoil; chaos/anarchy.
• Effects: Damage to economy and society. Millions killed, imprisoned.

16.) The Gang of Four (1969-1978)

• What happened? Rise of Jiang Qing and a group of other officials (Gang of Four) who supported Mao's plans.
• Effects?: Mao had them imprisoned; this ended the chaos and the era of chaos in China ended as the new government began.

17.) Changes under Deng Xiaoping (1978-1980s)

• Reasons for Reform: Economic failures of prior era. Westernization of China.
• Reforms: Economic decentralisation. New industrial initiatives. More openness with the West.

18.) The Democracy Movement (1979-1989)

• Causes: Limits on freedom of speech under earlier governments.
• Rise of the Democracy Movement: Demand for democracy/freedom in China. Student protest campaign.
• Effects: Government response (using force). Demonstrating limits to freedom in China.

19.) The Tiananmen Square Massacre (June 1989)

• What happened? Student protests in Tiananmen Square. Government response (using force).
• Effects?: Further crackdown/repression. Death. More protests in China.

This quiz explores significant events and transformations in China from the 1911 Revolution to 1989. It highlights the long-term and short-term causes of the 1911 Revolution, emphasizing the role of key figures and movements. Understanding these pivotal moments is crucial for students preparing for their exams.