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1st Opium War
The 1st Opium War was fought between the United Kingdom and the Quing Dynasty of China. In the late 1700s the British brought opium to trade for Chinese goods. However, the Chinese government didn't like this and told the Great Britain to stop bringing opium into China. Then in 1839 the war began. Great Britain won the war and gained power afterwards. This war also marked the end of China's isolation and the beginning of modern Chinese history. -
Sino-Japanese War
The first Sino-Japanese (China vs. Japan) war occurred in July of 1894-1895. The Japanese began the war by sinking a Chinese troopship. After a long year of war Japan won and gained Formosa (Taiwan), which was huge for Japan. Chinas loss in the war was surprising because China had a much larger population, a larger army, better battleships and much more resources than Japan. -
Boxer Rebellion (Uprising)
Anti-foreign Chinese wanted to destroy all foreign influence. They formed the Boxers while Empress Ci Xi secretly supported them. In 1900, the Boxers attacked, killing many of the foreigners and Chinese. To end the war Europeans came into Beijing & defeated the Boxers. -
Open door policy
In this policy foreigners had equal opportunity to trade with China. This also meant that foreigners remained in control. This policy refers to a belief that to modernize China's industry and boost its economy because it needed to welcome foreign investment. -
Communist Party Organized
San Yat-sen started the Nationalist party. When he died in 1925 Chiang Kai-shek became the Nationalist party leader. In the meantime, Mao Zedong became the leader of the communists. -
The Long March
In the 1930s, the Nationalist Party ruled most of China. They needed to get rid of the communists so they would have more power. The Chinese communists escaped from the nationalists on a 6,000 mile journey. -
Nationalists flee to Taiwan/ Mao controls Communist China
During World War 2 the Nationalist Party and the communists decided to put aside their differences just to fight Japan. Afterwards they fought in a civil war. The communist won and took control of China. The nationalists fled to Taiwan. -
Beginning Of The Great Leap Forward
The Great Leap forward took place in 1958. The Great Leap Forward was Mao's attempt to modernize China. It turned out to be a costly step backwards, instead of forward, for Chinas economy. -
Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution
Mao wanted to expand his vision of an equal society without classes. Mao closed schools and encouraged students to join the "Red Guards." The Red Guards would brutally attack anyone who wasn't living according to Mao's teaching. As you can guess torture became common, and it is estimated that a million died in the ensuing purges and related incidents. -
President Nixon Visits China
From February 21st - 28 1972 also known as "The week that changed the world," president Nixon visited China. Nixon was the first American President to visit Communist China. Nixon was trying to open up a new political relationship with the People's Republic of China (PRC). Nixon wanted this new relationship because of the mutual indifference that lasted decades. It reopened relations in 1972. -
Mao dies as does Cultural Revolution
After 82 years of living the leader of communist, Mao Zedong, dies of old age and ill health. The Cultural Revolution ended as did Mao's wife Jiang Qing tried to hold onto power as long as she can, but only lasted 2 years. She was then put on trial and imprisoned. Leaders with different and better ideas for China then took power. -
Tiananmen Square Massacre
"Tiananmen Square will forever be remembered as a political rally that turned into a bloody massacre viewed on live television." The square in Beijing, China was the site of student organized rallies to demand political freedom. Later on in the day the government forced them to go home but the protesters refused. When they refused, the army opened fire wounding and killing thousands. The government’s authority would not be challenged.
