CHINESE REVOLUTION
Chinese were under the European subjugation since 1498, the west had commercial relations with China and a rift appeared when the Chinese demanded compulsory silver for exchange.
Causes for the Chinese Revolution
- Economic Causes:
- Mandatory Silver: The Chinese demanded silver in trade with European powers, which created a rift. Europeans responded by promoting the opium trade.
- Inculcation of Opium: Opium became a key medium of exchange between China and Europeans, negatively impacting China’s economy and society, leading to widespread addiction and destabilization.
- Political Causes:
- Expansion of Trade: Europeans sought to expand their trade with China by securing control over key ports and territories, such as Hong Kong, which was ceded to Britain.
- Desire for More Chinese Territory: European powers, seeking to exploit more of China’s resources, waged wars and gained control of additional Chinese lands.
- Boxer Uprising (1899): In the late 19th century, China was divided among foreign powers. The Boxer Rebellion was a nationalist movement aimed at expelling foreign influences. It led to significant conflict involving Germany, Britain, France, and others but also paved the way for greater Chinese integration with the USA.
- Social Causes:
- Taiping Rebellion: Led by Huan Hsinchuan, the rebellion sought to eliminate idolatry and nature worship in China. The rebellion was so strong that it controlled the Nanking region for 11 years. Combined with the Opium Wars, this rebellion placed China under foreign domination.
- Young China Movement: This movement, triggered by the defeat and exploitation of China, sought cultural and political reforms. The movement’s leaders, like Kang Hsu Tse, focused on modern education and democracy.
Key Revolutions
- The First Revolution (1912): The 1912 revolution overthrew the Manchu Dynasty. Due to external pressures and internal incompetence, the last Manchu ruler abdicated. Dr. Sun Yat Sen became the first president of China’s national assembly. He emphasized nationalism, employment, and economic growth, earning the title Father of Modern China.
- The 1949 Revolution: This revolution marked the birth of Communist China or the People’s Republic of China, with Mao Zedong at the center of power.
Outcomes of the Revolution
Participation in World Wars:
- World War I:
- China supported Britain and the Allies against Japan’s militarism, which led to China gaining membership in the League of Nations. By 1921, China had regained some sovereignty through the Washington Conference, where European powers relinquished rights over China.
- World War II:
- In 1937, Mao led the Long March and later fought against Japan, which attacked China that same year. Mao Zedong used the war to galvanize the masses and consolidate his power, eventually overthrowing Chiang Kai-shek.
China’s revolution was shaped by a blend of economic exploitation, foreign interference, and domestic upheavals. The country’s struggle for self-determination began long before other colonized nations, culminating in the rise of Communist China in 1949 under Mao. The Chinese Revolution is seen as a major turning point in China’s history, marking the end of Western imperialism and the establishment of a new socio-political order.