150 likes | 290 Views
Unit 3: the Role of China in the current world economy. China By: Mr. Evans. Chinese refusal to change. Since the mid-17 th century, Chinese rulers have refused to adopt western or “American- european ” ways. As a result, Chinese technology fell behind that of Europe. Opium Wars.
E N D
Unit 3: the Role of China in the current world economy ChinaBy: Mr. Evans
Chinese refusal to change • Since the mid-17th century, Chinese rulers have refused to adopt western or “American-european” ways. • As a result, Chinese technology fell behind that of Europe.
Opium Wars • British merchants began to trade opium in China in the late 18th century (1700’s) • China tried to hault imports of the highly addictive drug. • In 1839, Britain began to war against China to continue to trade opium. • The British easily defeated the Chinese, because of their advanced techology.
Aftermath of Opium Wars • China had to pay for Britains war debts, open up its harbors for trade, and give up Hong Kong to Great Britain. • Western powers (Europe) carved China up and began controlling it for their own selfish gain.
Rival Groups fight for power • After WWI China was in disorder. • Rival groups began fighting for power • May Fourth Movement: Student movement that supported westernization. • Communists: The communist party is formed. Influenced by Marx & Lenin. • Nationalists: Existing Chinese gov. that had a representative form of government.
Nationalists v. Communists • Civil War would last for 22 years. • Mao Zedung emerged as the communist leader of China. • During WWII the nationalists and communists fought against Japanese invasion of their country. The US supported both sides in this effort.
Communist Victory • In 1949 (after WWII), the communist defeat the nationalist (democracy), and Mao becomes the dictator of the Peoples Republic of China. • Mao won the support of women because he rejected the traditional view point of Confucius (women were inferior to men)
The Great Leap Forward • Finally in 1958, Mao institutes his program to move Chinese technology into the forefront of the world economy ( some fifty years later his vision would come true ). • He also created group communes where several families shared one property to farm. • The Great Leap forward was a failure and led to widespread famine.
China during the cold war • Mao became paranoid of the intelligent people within his own country, so he shut down universities. • The U.S. refused to acknowledge the communist government as the true government of China.
Mao to Deng • Mao dies in 1976 & Deng becomes dictator of communist China. • Deng promotes foreign trade; thus, increasing China’s economic capacity. • Deng’s Four Modernizations:farming, industry, science & technology, and defense.
Deng’s results • Foreign investment increased • Foreign trade increased • Gap between rich and poor grew • Chinese economy began to show hints of capitalism.
China Today • Chinese economy is one of the fastest growing in the world. • Largest population: 1.3 billion • Hong Kong was given back to China in 1997 • One Child policy • Women not treated equally • Fair trials are uncommon