FALL OF THE QING DYNASTY CHINESE IMPERIALISM
THE TAI PING REBELLION The failure of the Chinese government to deal with the internal economic problems led to a peasant revolt known as the Tai Ping Rebellion It was led by Hong Xiuquan who was a Christian convert who viewed himself as a younger brother of Jesus He was convinced God gave him the mission of destroying the Qing Dynasty He was able to gain supporters and take key cities in China proclaimed a new kingdom called The Heavenly Kingdom of Great Peace
THE TAI REBELLION The new kingdom took the second largest city in China killing 25,000 men, women, and children The revolt continued for 10 years until European powers helped the Qing Dynasty regain control This was seen as one of the most devastating civil wars in history with 20 million deaths over 14 years
THE TAI REBELLION China s ongoing struggle with the West prevented the Qing Dynasty from dealing with the internal problems. After this, the Qing Dynasty was on the decline
THE BOXER REBELLION Boxer was the name given to members of a secret organization called the Society of Harmonious Fists They practiced boxing with an imaginary opponent that they thought would protect them from bullets They were upset over the economic issues and foreign powers in China Boxers would: Roam the country-side and slaughter foreign missionaries The Chinese government was forced to pay a heavy indemnity to the powers that crushed the uprisings. This made the government weaker than ever
FALL OF THE QING DYNASTY To help China, Ci Xi enforced some new forms: A new education system based on a western model Elections for the National Assembly Legislative Assemblies were formed at the local level
FALL OF THE QING DYNASTY However, problems still continued The new elite merchants and professionals became impatient with the slow pace of political change Also the recent reforms didn t help peasants, artisans, and miners whose living conditions were getting worse THE DYNASTY KEPT IGNORING THE TROUBLE SIGNS
THE RISE OF THE SUN YAT-SEN A young new radical emerged in China named Sun Yat-sen who formed the Revive China Society Sun Yat-sen believed that: Unless the Chinese were united under a strong government, they would remain at the mercy of other countries The Chinese people were NOT ready for Democracy
1. Military take over SUN YAT-SEN S THREE-STAGE REFORM PROCESS 2. Transition phase Sun s own revolutionary party would prepare the people for democratic rule 3. The establishment of a constitutional democracy Sun formed the Revolutionary Alliance which became the Nationalist Party The new organization promoted nationalism, democracy, and the right for people to pursue their own livelihoods
THE REVOLUTION OF 1911 The Qing Dynasty was near its end when its Empress Ci Xi died leaving Empire to an infant named Henry Pu Yi the Last Emperor The followers of Sun launched an uprising in China The government was too weak to react and the Qing Dynasty collapsed, opening the way for new political forces
THE REVOLUTION OF 1911 Sun s party did not have military or political strength so they turned to General Yuan Shigai who controlled the army The revolution ended 2,000 years of imperial power but produced no new political or social order He agreed to be the president of the new Chinese republic Mainly the urban middle class supported Sun s party and they were too small to make many changes
THE ERA OF A CIVIL WAR Why did Sun and his colleagues accept Yuan Shigai as president? Why did the reformers hate the way Yuan Shigai was ruling? What happened when Yuan Shugai dissolved the new parliament? What happened after Yuan Shugai died?
CULTURAL CHANGES The growth of industry and trade was especially noticeable in the cities The Chinese economy had never been more productive Faster and more reliable transportation Better system of money and banking created the foundation for a money economy Westerners effected the Chinese economy in three ways Modern means of transportation and communication Create an export market Integrate the Chinese market into the 19 th century world economy
BENEFITS OF WESTERN CULTURE Western influences forced the Chinese to adopt new ways of thinking and acting and Western ideas stimulated the desire to modernize They also gave the Chinese a model, funds, and the technical knowledge to modernize
WITH BENEFITS COMES DRAWBACKS.. The Chinese paid a heavy price for the new ways Imperialism imposed a state of dependence on China and many Chinese were exploited Imperialism condemned the country to a condition of underdevelopment Local industries were destroyed
CULTURE IN TRANSITION Why did radical reformers want to eliminate traditional culture? What was the first cultural change? How did Western novels influence the Chinese?