Synopses & Reviews
In the first half of the twentieth century, China moved from a millennium of imperial rule to the Communist Party-led Peoples Republic of China which remains today.
China in Transformation argues that this enormously significant period in Chinese history saw wrenching change throughout Chinese society amounting to a social, cultural and political transformation. This new, fully revised and updated edition takes full advantage of new research and formerly unavailable material to analyse the fascinating processes of revolution, reform, reaction and change in China during the period. Mackerras:
· Discusses the wars, occupations and uprisings that marked the period, including the Boxer Rebellion and the Japanese occupation and includes a new chapter on postwar China and the Civil War
· Examines nation-building and revolutions, including the successful communist movement that has led to the rise of todays state
· Acknowledges the prevalence of poverty and famine in the period but also gives space to the areas in which there was progress: the introduction of mass, secular education, improvements in the status of women, and in a new chapter, details significant developments in culture, literature and theatre
Written in an accessible style, with a rich collection of Documents, Chronology, Glossary, a Guide to Further Reading,and a Whos Who summarising the careers and contributions of the main figures, this new edition is essential for all those interested in understanding Chinas modern history.
Colin Mackerras is a professor emeritus in the Department of International Business and Asian Studies, Griffith University, Queensland. He has written eleven single-authored books about China. He won a Centenary Medal, awarded by the Governor-General of Australia in April 2003 and was appointed an officer in the Order of Australia (AO)in the Queens Birthday honours list of June 2007, in both cases for his contribution to education and for his work in Australia-China relations.
Synopsis
The first half of the 20th century was a fascinating and tragic period for China and this is an introduction to the history of the period from the boxer Rebellion in 1900 to the founding of the people's Republic of China in 1949. Throughout, Professor Mackerras provides a clear and accessible account of events, incisive analysis and assessment of the period, as well as a valuable documents section and a detailed bibliography.
Synopsis
One of the most accessible guides to the history of modern China.
- The study of China is a growing area
- Completely updated new edition
- Includes maps, chronology and guide to further reading
- Lucid and easy to read introduction to a complicated period of history.
Synopsis
A lucid introduction to the history of modern China from the Boxer Rebellion in 1900 through to the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949. Within a chronological framework the author explores the forces of nationalism, modernisation and change in a period of revolution, occupation and civil war. Two thematic chapters look at social change through the period (in particular, the status of women) and education and the student movement. Written by the editor of the best-selling survey,Eastern Asia, this is an ideal text for anyone tackling the complexities of Chinese history for the first time.
About the Author
Colin Mackerras is Professor Emeritus at the Department of International Business and Asian Studies, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia
Table of Contents
Preface
Chronology
Whos who?
Glossary
Maps
PART ONE: INTRODUCTION
1. Introduction, Framework and Definitions
Themes in Chinese history, 1900-49
Revolution, reform, change and reaction
Nationalism and imperialism
Modernization and tradition
Foreign impact and internal dynamic
2. Nineteenth-Century Background
Society, economy and population
Rebellion
The Western impact and the unequal treaties
The Sino-Japanese War ends the tribute system
The beginnings of reform and modernization
PART TWO: CHINA IN TRANSFORMATION, CHRONOLOGICAL TREATMENT
3. The End of the Qing Period, 1900-11
The Boxer Rebellion and reaction
Post-Boxer nationalism and reform
The Russo-Japanese War
Constitutional reform
4. The Revolution of Sun Yat-sen
Sun Yat-sen's early career and revolutionary activities
The United League and Revolution of 1911
Yuan Shikai betrays the revolution
Reasons for the success of the 1911 Revolution
5. Warlords, New Culture, 1916-28
The warlord period
Features of warlords and their rule
The May Fourth Incident aftermath
The New Culture or May Fourth Movement
6. The Nationalist Movement and Revolution
The Guangzhou regimes
The First Congress of the Nationalist Party; Sun's three principles of the people
The rise of Chiang Kai-shek; The Northern
Expedition begins
The split in the Revolution; Chiang Kai-shek's
Shanghai Coup
7. The Nanjing Decade, 1927-37
Politics and the struggle against opposition
Government Party
Corruption, Chiang Kai-shek's power base
Population
The economy
8. The Chinese Communist Party
The early period
The end of the united front and aftermath
The Chinese Soviet Republic
The Long March
The Yan'an decade
9. The War against Japan
The Xi'an Incident and the Second United Front
The War Against Japan: Early stages, 1937-40
The War Against Japan: Later stages, 1941-45
10. Post-War China, The Civil War
Between wars: From the victory over Japan to the outbreak of civil war
The Civil War and the victory of the CCP
PART THREE: THEMES OF CHANGE
11. Aspects of Society: Family and Women, Religion and Secular Ideology
Family life
The position of women, 1900-27
The position of women, 1927-49
Religion
Secular ideology
12. Education and the Student Movement
The education system
The student movement
13. Literature and Theatre
Some background
Theory of the arts
Fiction
Theatre
PART FOUR: CONCLUSION
14. Conclusion and Evaluation
Significance of the period 1900-49
Evaluation of the achievements and leaders of the period
Reasons for the defeat of the Nationalist Party
PART FIVE: DOCUMENTS
Guide to Further Reading
List of References
Index