The Qing Dynasty was the last imperial dynasty of China. The emperors had ruled for a very long time, but by the late 1800s, they were losing their grip. There were two large problems.
One problem was internal. Officials were often corrupt, taking bribes. Peasants were heavily taxed and had hard lives, and that made them really angry. Several rebellions occurred, including the Taiping Rebellion, which lasted 14 years. These internal conflicts took a great toll on the country.
The other big problem was external. Foreign powers like Great Britain and France wanted more control over trade with China. They wanted more power there overall. China lost wars against these nations. They then had to sign “unequal treaties.” These treaties gave foreigners special rights in China, particularly in “treaty ports.” Foreigners did not have to follow all of the rules that the citizens of China did.
The Boxer Rebellion
The Boxer Rebellion happened in 1900. The Boxers were a group that rebelled against foreigners in China. They attacked foreigners and Chinese Christians. An international force put down the rebellion.
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Many Chinese intellectuals looked to the West for new ideas. Nationalism became popular. This is the idea that people with a shared culture should have their own nation. Many Chinese people began to really embrace this idea.
Democracy was another big idea. This meant giving the people the power to choose their leaders. It appealed to many citizens who felt left behind by the current system.
Sun Yat-sen
Sun Yat-sen was an important leader. He wanted to overthrow the Qing and create a republic. He formed the Kuomintang (KMT), or Nationalist Party. Sun Yat-sen is referred to as the father of modern China.
The 1911 Revolution
The revolution started in 1911. Soldiers in Wuchang started an uprising. They wanted to create a republic. The revolt quickly spread. The Qing Dynasty was too weak to fight back. The last emperor stepped down in 1912.
The Republic of China and Warlord Era
The Republic of China was established in 1912, ending the imperial system. However, the new republic faced challenges. Regional warlords gained control of different areas. They fought amongst themselves for power.
The Rise of Communism
The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) was founded in 1921. It was inspired by the Russian Revolution. The CCP wanted to create a socialist society. This is a very different type of system than what China had before.
The Nationalists vs. the Communists
The KMT and the CCP initially worked together. They wanted to unify the country. They fought against the warlords. But they had different visions for China’s future. Tensions grew between them.
In 1927, the KMT, led by Chiang Kai-shek, turned against the CCP. A civil war began. This conflict would last for many years.
The Second Sino-Japanese War
Japan invaded China in 1937. This started the Second Sino-Japanese War. The KMT and the CCP temporarily put aside their differences. They did this to fight against the Japanese.
The war was brutal. Millions of Chinese people died. The Japanese were eventually defeated in 1945. This coincided with the end of World War II.
After Japan’s defeat, the civil war between the KMT and the CCP resumed. This struggle would ultimately shape China’s future. The fighting continued for some time.
