IR437 NATIONALISM
AND ETHNICITY
NATIONALISM IN CHINA
Introduction - China
Mid 17th century – Chinese rulers had refused to adopt Western ways and new technologies
As a result China remained backward and saw itself being challenged by the Europeans
The end of 19th century saw China having to sign unequal treaties due to pressure from
European powers such as Britain, France, Russia and Germany.
These European powers had established colonies all over China.
The decline of Chinese hegemony
The fall of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) in the 19th century.
Part of its decline can be attributed to the dynasty’s refusal to reform itself to new ideas and
technology.
Other than that, the decadence and corruption within the Qing court, incapable and backward
leaders, outdated military technology and administration, internal struggle among its officials
and civil wars also played a part in its weakening.
By the 19th century the Chinese ancient customs and traditions such as the mandate of heaven,
middle kingdom, sense of superiority over other races, the social hierarchy, were no more
relevant in the modern age compared to the Western technology.
The decline of Chinese hegemony
The rigid and outdated ancient Chinese social structure of traditional China was also another
major cause of China's weakness in the nineteenth century.
For example, in the traditional Chinese social hierarchy the emperor is at the top followed by
mandarins (officials/scholars), peasants, workers/artisans, merchants.
The lowest bottom of the traditional social hierarchy is the soldier. Therefore, the capable
Chinese youths of the time were reluctant to join the military service and it weakened China’s
position when they were challenged by the European powers.
The Opium War
•British merchants began to trade opium in China in the late 18 th century
•China tried to halt imports of the highly addictive drug
•In 1839, to keep trade open, the British fought with the Chinese in a conflict
called the opium war
•Britain's superior military and industrial strength led to a quick victory
The Opium War
Upon encountering military defeat, the Qing Dynasty had to sign unequal treaties which forced
China to hand over its territories such as Hong Kong.
In addition, a massive sum of money also had to be paid to the British Empire as war
compensation.
Besides the Opium Wars, there were other wars which were fought between the Qing Dynasty
and Western powers which ended with China’s defeat and followed by unequal treaties which
again forced the Qing Dynasty to surrender its territories and pay war compensation.
By the end of the 19th century the European powers such as Britain, France, Russia, Germany
had created colonies all over China.
Treaty of Nanjing
•In 1842, Britain forced China to agree to the harsh terms of the Treaty of Nanjing
•China had to pay for Britain's war costs, open ports to British trade, and give
Britain the island of Hong Kong
•The western powers carved out spheres of influence , areas in which an outside
power claimed exclusive trade privileges including the right to build roads,
railroads, and factories
China’s reaction
•The Taiping Rebellion – from 1850-1864, angry impoverished peasants revolted
against Qing officials. Millions were killed and China suffered.
•Boxer Rebellion – in 1900, a group known as the Boxers assaulted foreign
communities across China.
•Armies from the west and Japan crushed the rebellion and forced the Chinese to
give foreign powers even more influence in China.
The Chinese Revolution
In the early 1900’s Chinese nationalism grew
Sun Yat-sen led the movement to create a new government and replace the Qing Dynasty
Sun Yat-sen’s Three Goals
•To end foreign domination
•To form a representative government
•To create economic security
•In 1911, workers, peasants, and warlords toppled the monarchy.
•Yat-sen was named president of the Chinese Republic
Rival Groups Fight for Power
After WWI, China was in disorder and Sun Yat-sen stepped down
leaving rival groups fighting for power
May Fourth Movement – Student movement that supported
westernization, modernization, and democratic principles
Communists – The Chinese Communist party is formed, influenced
by the ideas of Marx and Lenin
Nationalists – Chiang Kai-Shek takes over control of the Nationalists
party
Civil War
At first, the Nationalists and Communists had worked together to
unite China.
Over time however, they would become enemies and a civil war will
develop that will last for 22 years
Nationalists vs. Communists
The Long March
Mao Zedong emerged as the leader of the communists in the 1930’s
Mao led his followers, roughly 100,000, away from nationalists
forces in 1934 in what in known as the Long March.
Only about 20,000 people survived and settled in northern China
where they would regroup and organize
Mao Zedong
World War II
During World War II, Civil War ceased in order to fight Japanese
forces.
Both the Communists (who receive military aid from the United
States) and the Nationalists fought against the Japanese invasion
After WWII the Civil War continued
Communist victory in China
In 1949 the Communists had won and the Nationalists flee to Taiwan
Reasons for Mao’s Success
Mao won the support of the huge peasant population by promising to give land
to peasants
Mao won the support of women by rejecting the traditional beliefs of Confucius
Many people opposed the Nationalist government because of rumored
corruption
Some Chinese felt that Nationalists had allowed foreigners to dominate China
Role of women
Women gained more rights and under the law.
They were now expected to work alongside men in the factories and fields,
however they were usually paid lower wages.
A few women also had government jobs
The Great Leap Forward
•In 1958, Mao an industrialization and modernization program known as the Great Leap
Forward
•The Great Leap Forward took place in 1958. The Great Leap Forward was Mao’s attempt
to modernise China’s economy so that by 1988, China would have an economy that
rivalled America.
•He called on people to increase industrial and agricultural output
•To make agriculture more productive, he created communes, groups of people who live
and work together on common property. Communes had production quotas.
•The Great Leap Forward was a complete failure. Communes turned out poorly made
goods and agricultural output declined. Bad weather added to the downturn, creating
widespread famine.
The Great Leap Forward
The geographical size of a commune varied but most contained about 5000 families.
People in a commune gave up their ownership of tools, animals etc so that everything was
owned by the commune.
People now worked for the commune and not for themselves.
The life of an individual was controlled by the commune. Schools and nurseries were provided
by the communes so that all adults could work.
Health care was provided and the elderly were moved into “houses of happiness” so that they
could be looked after and also so that families could work and not have to worry about leaving
their elderly relatives at home.
The Great Leap Forward
Quickly produced farm machinery produced in factories fell to pieces when
used.
Many thousands of workers were injured after working long hours and falling
asleep at their jobs.
Steel produced by the backyard furnaces was frequently too weak to be of any
use and could not be used in construction – it’s original purpose. Buildings
constructed by this substandard steel did not last long.
Also the backyard production method had taken many workers away from their
fields – so desperately needed food was not being harvested.
Ironically, one of the key factors in food production in China was the weather
and 1958 had particularly good weather for growing food.
The Cultural Revolution
•In 1966, Mao launched the Cultural Revolution to renew peoples loyalty to
communism and establish a more equitable society.
•Mao feared intellectuals may try to overthrow the communist system of
government
•Schools and Universities were shut down throughout China and students were
encouraged to join the revolution
•Students formed groups of fighters called the Red Guards. They attacked
professors, government officials, and factory managers.
•The economy suffered, China loses contact with the outside world, and civil war
once again threatened the country
U.S. – China relations
During the Cold War, the US refused to recognize China
With the Korean War, China and the United States favored opposing sides
By the 1970’s the situation began to change. China won admission to the United
Nations in 1971, Richard Nixon visited Mao in 1972, and the US officially
recognized the People’s Republic of China in 1979
Deng Xiaoping
Communism Under Deng Xiaoping
Mao died in 1976 and Deng Xiaoping took power.
Deng brought more economic freedom but little political change
Deng’s Four Modernizations
•Deng promoted foreign trade and more contact with foreign nations.
•He also introduced the Four Modernizations:
Farming – modernize and mechanize
Industry – upgrade and expand
Science and Technology – encouraged development
Defense – improve military forces
Limited Privatization
•Deng got rid of Mao’s unpopular communes
•He allowed land to be leased to individual farmers
•After delivering a certain amount of food to the government, farmers could sell
produce for a profit
•Private businesses were also allowed to produce goods and services
Results of Deng’s Reforms
•Foreign investment increased as well as the influx of foreign technology
•The economy grew and many enjoyed a better standard of living
•Foreign relations and trade improved
•Gap between rich and poor grew
•People begin to demand political reforms
•Chinese economy show hints of Capitalism
Tiananmen Square
•The Chinese Government was willing to grant economic reforms but unwilling to
make any political reforms.
•In May 1989, demonstrators in Beijing occupied Tiananmen Square, demanding
more rights and freedoms
•When they refused to disperse as ordered, the government sent in troops and
tanks.
•Thousands were killed or wounded.
Return of Hong Kong to China
In 1842, Britain gained the island of Hong Kong.
During it’s years under British rule, Hong Kong became modernized and wealthy.
China agreed not to interfere with the social or economic policies of Hong King
for 50 years and allow the island a degree of self rule.
Hong Kong was turned over on July 1, 1997
Human Rights Violations in China
•Civil liberties are limited, including freedom of expression
•Prisoners and criminals are tortured
•Fair trials are uncommon
•Death penalty rates are extremely high
•Women still do not have full equal rights
•One Child Policy now Two
China today
Chinese economy is one of the fastest growing in the world.
The United States trades with China. China is the United States' 3rd largest
goods export market in 2013.
Largest population, 1.3 billion