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Taiping Rebellion
The Taiping Rebellion was a massive civil war that occurred throughout southern China under the rule of the Qing Dynasty. It was led by Hong Xiuquan, who claimed to be the younger brother of Jesus Christ. Text: http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taiping_Rebellion -
Wuchang Uprising
The Wuchang Uprising led to the downfall of the Qing Dynasty, however, all of this occurred by mistake. The uprising began after a newly made bomb exploded by accident, which led to an investigation. After being put up for arrest and execution, the people revolted, and the authorities fled. Text: http://exhibits.library.gwu.edu/exhibits/show/1911revolution/wuchang-uprising Photo: http://exhibits.library.gwu.edu/exhibits/show/1911revolution/item/81 -
Founding Date of the Republic of China
The Republic of China put an end to imperial rule after the Qing Dynasty's rule. In the beginning, the Republic was unified under the Chinese Nationalist Party, and during this time, China's greatest new technology and manufacturers came about. Text: http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Republic_of_China -
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Northern Expedition
The reason why the Northern Expedition took place was to unify China under its own rule. The Soviet Union encouraged the unification of China, so they were supportive of the unification of the Communist Party of China and the Kuomintang. Text: http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Expedition -
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Mukden Incident
The Japanese invasion of Mukden was followed by the invasion of all of Manchuria. The Japanese felt threatened by the upcoming unification of China, so the Japanese Guandong Army reacted by initiating an incident in Mukden, without the approval of the Japanese civil government.
Text: http://m.search.eb.com/topic/396670 -
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Long March
The Long March was a series of marches undertaken by the Red Army of Communist China to escape the trickery of the KMT. This is considered to be the point of ascension of Mao Zedong into power; however, many believe his involvement in these marches is exaggerated and fabricated. Text: http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_March -
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Second Sino-Japanese War
Because China was struggling with unification in the early 1930s, Japan took the opportunity to invade, and the Japanese took over most of northern China. After China unified and settled most internal conflicts, they turned to the problem outside of the borders, Japan. Text: http://www.history.co.uk/study-topics/history-of-ww2/sino-japanese-war -
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Nanking Massacre
This "Rape of Nanking" was more of a murderous attack than an actual rape. It was when the Japanese Imperial Army invaded Nanking, China and killed thousands of Chinese citizens. The army had been invading nearby areas, but Nanking lacked a stable army, which resulted in their loss of this attack. Text: http://www.historyplace.com/worldhistory/genocide/nanking.htm -
Founding of People's Republic of China
The People's Republic of China established its capital in Beijing, China, after it was instituted. The country's "new republic" was made of four social classes, with a vast difference in everyday living of the working class and upper class. Text: http://www.chaos.umd.edu/history/prc.html -
Chinese Nationalists move Capital to Taiwan
Many believed that moving the Chinese capital to Taiwan would make other nations recognize that the new government was the People's Republic of China, which should have been considered more friendly. However, President Truman of the U.S. considered it as a negative change, which infuriated Mao Zedong. Text: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/chinese-nationalists-move-capital-to-taiwan -
Seventeen Point Agreement with Tibet
This document basically forced the Tibetan government into becoming part of the Chinese territory. However, China believed they were simply assisting in the liberation of Tibet. It was their way of conquering the country without causing ruckus with the nations around the globe. Text: http://tibet.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/FACTS-ABOUT-17-POINT-AGREEMENT..pdf -
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Great Leap Forward
The Great Leap Forward showed the Soviet Union that China's approach to economic development was more successful than the approaches of the Soviet Union. It was also motivated by surpassing England in development. Because of this, the Great Leap Forward became a mass steel campaign. However, this plan was a failure and Mao Zedong withdrew from active rule as a result. Text: http://chineseposters.net/themes/great-leap-forward.php -
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Cultural Revolution
The May 16 Notification was only part of this large Cultural Revolution. The young people of China rose to purge the old customs, old culture, old habits, and old ideas. Because of Mao's failed Great Leap Forward, he supported the people of his country in this endeavor by issuing the Cultural Revolution. Text: http://asianhistory.about.com/od/modernchina/f/What-Was-The-Cultural-Revolution.htm -
The May 16 Notification
The Great Cultural Revolution, released on May 16, 1966, was part of Mao Zedong's plan to regain authority over the Chinese government. During this time, anything that represented ways of the old society were cast out or destroyed completely. "Out with the old; in with the new." Text: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-happened-on-may-16.htm ; http://thisdayinalternatehistory.blogspot.com/2011/05/may-16-1966-may-16-notification-ousts.html Photo: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_klPH-OTfCQ8/SJvL-ZlVYpI -
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Nixon visits China
Many Americans were concerned that communists would dominate schools and labor unions. Nixon's visit allowed leverage between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. The U.S. wanted to keep good relations in those communist countries. Text: http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/1972_Nixon_visit_to_China -
Gang of Four arrested
Mao Zedong died prior to the arrest of the "Gang of Four", which was a group of Mao's fellowmen who planned on taking over rule after his death. It is believed that his wife, Jian Qing, attempted to change his will, allowing her to be his successor. When the actions of the four became public, they were arrested.
Text: http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/october/11/newsid_4712000/4712306.stm
Photo: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/5/53/Gang_of_Four_poster.jpg -
One Child Policy Instituted
China's government advertised birth control for a while, but Mao Zedong began to encourage families to have more children. As a result, a massive food shortage began, and immediate action had to take place. It was then that the one-child policy was instituted. Text: http://www.allgirlsallowed.org/one-child-policy
Photo: http://inventorspot.com/files/images/onechild_1.img_assist_custom.gif -
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Tiananmen Square protests
These protests were led by students who demanded democracy, better living conditions, and more food. Originally, their motive was carried out peacefully, but when more vicious students took over, the Chinese army got involved and people on the outskirts of the city were killed. Text: http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiananmen_Square_protests_of_1989 -
Building of the Three Gorges Dam
The dam was first proposed to protect nearby communities from possible floods, but it was also symbolic to other nations about the economic success in China. The idea was forgotten during the Chinese Civil War and delayed again because of issues in politics, but finally began soon after. Text: https://www.mtholyoke.edu/~vanti20m/classweb/website/history.html
Photo: http://faculty.washington.edu/nemati/3gorges/3g02.jpg -
Hong Kong Returned to China
This ended more than 150 years of British control over Hong Kong. Later that night, 509 Chinese troops crossed into Hong Kong to celebrate the "Handover". The actual event was aired all over the country, and a clock timer counted down to midnight in Tiananmen Square. Text: http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/july/1/newsid_2656000/2656973.stm
Photo: http://media.web.britannica.com/eb-media/34/95534-004-D7249C13.jpg -
Macau returned to China
Unlike Hong Kong, Portugal has been trying to give Macau back since the mid-1970s. Macau got most of their income from casinos and late night events, but they were still considered to be more of a colony. The city was of more use to China than Portugal. Text: http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1997-07-03/news/1997184009_1_china-macau-hong-portugal -
Hainan Island incident
The Hainan Island incident occurred when an air collision between a United States Navy aircraft and a People's Liberation Navy fighter jet resulted in an international dispute between the USA and the PRC. The two planes accidentally collided, and they were forced to make an emergency landing on the island. -
People's Republic of China admitted to UN
The admission of new nations into the United Nations resulted in sympathies toward Communist China. A resolution was made and agreed upon with the UN, but the Republic of China disagreed; in response, China was admitted into the UN General Assembly. Text: http://modernhistorian.blogspot.com/2009/10/on-this-day-in-history-peoples-republic.html
