Emergent Nationalism in Asia

The Rise of Chinese Communism

In this lesson we examine:• The background to the 1911

Revolution • The rise of Chinese Communism• The results of the Chinese Civil War

of 1927-1950

OVERVIEW

China at the beginning of the 20th century was marked by several

significant political, economic and social features

The 1911 Revolution

Foreign domination: • Britain, Russia, Japan held important territories• US “Open Door Policy”

Internal dissent: • Rebellions and revolts • Taiping Rebellion, Boxer Rebellion

Low standard of living:• Large gap in wealth between elite

and peasantry• Opportunities for education were few

• In October 1911, Dr. Sun Yat Sen, a foreign-educated lawyer, led a revolution to overthrow the Manchu emperor, Pu Yi.

• In 1912, Sun and his party, the Kuo Ming Tang (KMT) declared the creation of the Republic of China.

• By the end of 1912, General Yuan Shi Kai, originally president of the new republic, declared himself emperor and seized power.

• From 1912-1926, China was divided among warlords while the KMT attempted to rebuild support from southern China.

• In Shanghai, the Chinese

Communist Party (CCP) was founded in 1921 and was heavily supported by the USSR.

• In 1923, both the KMT and CCP formed a ‘united front’, and launching a Northern Expedition in 1926 to unite China.

The Rise of Chinese Communism

By 1927, the KMT and the CCP controlled most of southern China. The KMT then launched a purge against the

CCP, driving them into a retreat (the “Long March”) from southeast China

towards the central province of Shanxi. Why did the KMT turn on the CCP?

• Generalissimo Chiang Kai Shek (Jiang Jie Shi), leader of the KMT, wanted no power sharing with the CCP

• Major KMT supporters, such as landowners and merchants, were against the socialist goals of the CCP

After the Japanese invasions of Manchuria in 1931, the KMT was

forced to unite with the CCP in 1936 against Japan. What strategies did

each side employ during this time?

The Chinese Civil War

Chiang and the KMT preferred to hold back men

and resources in preparation for fighting the CCP

The CCP preferred to fight Japan in order to

gain popular support

After Japan was defeated in WWII, the KMT and CCP fought for control of

China. Despite US military and financial support, the KMT was

militarily defeated in 1949 and forced to retreat onto the island of Taiwan.

What major factors accounted for the communist victory?

• Nationalist appeal: the CCP had fought against Japanese foreign invasion

• Efficient organization: the CCP used propaganda effectively to mobilize the peasantry

• Ideologically moderate: the CCP initially welcomed internal debate and accepted compromises

In what ways were these factors similar or different to those of the

Russian Revolution of 1917?

SUMMARY QUESTIONS

• What major factors led to the Revolution of 1911?

• Why did the KMT choose to fight against the CCP despite the threat of foreign invasion?

• In what ways was were the communist revolutions in Russia and China similar and/or different?