Communists, Nationalists, and China's Revolutions: Crash Course World History #37

Summary

In this episode of Crash Course World History, John Green discusses China's significant 20th-century revolutions, highlighting the 1911 revolution and the more famous 1949 communist revolution. He explains the impact of European domination, the Opium Wars, and the rise of reform movements like self-strengthening. Green covers key figures such as Sun Yat Sen and Mao Zedong, the Boxer Rebellion, and the subsequent civil wars. He also discusses Mao's policies, including the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution, while reflecting on China's transformation into a modern state and its current global influence.

Takeaways

• 🍰 The episode is the last one about China in Crash Course World History, with cupcakes brought by Stan.
• 🌟 The 20th century was significant for China due to two revolutions: the 1911 revolution and the 1949 communist revolution.
• 📚 The 1911 revolution ended the Qing dynasty and established the Republic of China, with Sun Yat Sen as a key figure.
• ⚔️ After Sun Yat Sen's death, a civil war erupted between the Nationalists (Guomindang) and the Communists, which the Communists eventually won.
• 🚶 Mao's Long March was a significant event, showcasing the survival and perseverance of the Communist forces.
• 🎓 The Communists gained peasant support by treating them well and involving them in local governance.
• 👩‍🏭 The People's Republic of China, declared in 1949, aimed to create a socialist state with equal rights and heavy industry focus.
• 📉 Mao's Great Leap Forward led to disastrous consequences, including a famine that resulted in millions of deaths.
• 🔨 The Cultural Revolution sought to revive revolutionary zeal, resulting in widespread persecution and destruction of cultural heritage.
• 🎬 Despite modern achievements, such as industrial prowess, China's history of revolution and its impacts remain complex and mixed.

Q & A

What was significant about China's 1911 revolution?

China's 1911 revolution was significant because it marked the end of the Qing dynasty and over 3,000 years of dynastic rule, leading to the establishment of a republic.

Who was Sun Yat Sen, and why is he important in Chinese history?

Sun Yat Sen was a revolutionary leader who played a crucial role in the overthrow of the Qing dynasty. He is considered the father of the nation by the Republic of China and the forerunner of the democratic revolution by the People's Republic of China.

What were Sun Yat Sen's three principles of the people?

Sun Yat Sen's three principles of the people were Nationalism, Democracy, and the People’s Livelihood.

Why did the alliance between the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the Guomindang (Nationalists) fall apart?

The alliance fell apart in 1927 when Chiang Kai-Shek, leader of the Guomindang, became angry with the communists for attempting to foment socialist revolution, leading to a civil war between the two groups.

What was the Long March, and why was it significant?

The Long March was a strategic retreat by the Chinese Communists in 1934, where they trekked from southern China to the mountains in the north. It was significant because it allowed the Communists to survive and eventually regroup to continue their struggle.

How did the Communist Party of China gain support among the peasants during the Japanese invasion?

The Communist Party gained support by ensuring that their troops did not pillage local land and by giving peasants a greater say in local government, contrasting with the Nationalists' corruption and heavy taxation.

What was Mao Zedong's 'rectification' program in 1942?

Mao's 'rectification' program in 1942 involved sending students and intellectuals to the countryside to experience 'real China' and be re-educated through hard labor.

What was the Great Leap Forward, and what were its consequences?

The Great Leap Forward was Mao's initiative to rapidly industrialize China by, among other things, building backyard steel furnaces. It led to a significant drop in agricultural productivity and a resulting famine that caused the deaths of approximately 20 million people.

What was the Cultural Revolution, and what impact did it have on China?

The Cultural Revolution, launched by Mao in the mid-1960s, aimed to reassert his control and revive revolutionary fervor by empowering youth to denounce authority figures and destroy old customs. It led to widespread persecution, violence, and the destruction of cultural heritage.

How did the Communist Party's early campaigns consolidate power in China?

Early campaigns like the 'Resist America and Aid Korea' campaign and campaigns against 'counterrevolutionaries' and bourgeois elements helped consolidate power by promoting nationalism, eliminating opposition, and bolstering state control over the economy and society.