20th century in China

20th century in China was a period of profound and tumultuous transformation, marked by the collapse of millennia-old imperial rule, devastating warfare, radical social revolution, and ultimately, a dramatic economic resurgence. The century witnessed the end of the Qing dynasty, a protracted struggle between the Kuomintang and the Chinese Communist Party, and the cataclysm of the Second Sino-Japanese War. It concluded with the People's Republic of China initiating sweeping reforms that positioned it as a major global power.

Late Qing dynasty and the fall of the monarchy

The century began with the faltering Qing dynasty reeling from the Boxer Rebellion and the punitive Boxer Protocol. Reform efforts like the Late Qing reforms and the proposed Constitutional Protection Movement failed to stem revolutionary sentiment. The Wuchang Uprising of 1911 ignited the Xinhai Revolution, leading to the abdication of the Xuantong Emperor, Puyi. Revolutionary leader Sun Yat-sen briefly served as provisional president before ceding power to military strongman Yuan Shikai, who declared himself emperor in the short-lived Empire of China (1915–1916). His death in 1916 fractured the nascent Republic of China (1912–1949), ushering in a period of fragmentation.

Warlord Era, Nationalist rule, and the Second Sino-Japanese War

The Warlord Era saw China divided among regional militarists like Zhang Zuolin of the Fengtian clique and Wu Peifu of the Zhili clique. Sun Yat-sen's Kuomintang, reorganized with help from the Comintern, launched the Northern Expedition from its base in Guangzhou, led by Chiang Kai-shek. This campaign nominally unified the country and established the Nationalist government in Nanjing. The period also saw the founding of the Chinese Communist Party in Shanghai and the collapse of their First United Front during the Shanghai massacre. Full-scale war erupted with the Empire of Japan following the Marco Polo Bridge Incident, beginning the Second Sino-Japanese War. Atrocities like the Nanjing Massacre and major battles such as the Battle of Shanghai and Battle of Wuhan defined the conflict, which merged into World War II with China as a key Allied power.

Chinese Civil War and establishment of the People's Republic

The resumption of the Chinese Civil War followed Japan's surrender. Despite initial advantages and support from the United States, the Kuomintang government under Chiang Kai-shek was weakened by corruption and inflation. The Chinese Communist Party, under Mao Zedong, secured victory through decisive campaigns like the Liaoshen Campaign and Huaihai Campaign. On October 1, 1949, Mao proclaimed the establishment of the People's Republic of China in Tiananmen Square. Remnant Kuomintang forces retreated to Taiwan, establishing a government in Taipei that continued to claim authority over all China, creating the enduring Cross-Strait relations issue.

Mao Zedong era (1949–1976)

Mao's rule was characterized by radical campaigns to transform society. Initial efforts included the First Five-Year Plan and the Sino-Soviet Treaty of Friendship. The Great Leap Forward led to a widespread famine. After a period of retreat, Mao reasserted control by launching the Cultural Revolution, mobilizing the Red Guards against perceived enemies like Liu Shaoqi and Deng Xiaoping, and creating widespread turmoil. This era also saw China's involvement in the Korean War, its split with the Soviet Union, and a diplomatic breakthrough with the 1972 Nixon visit to China. Mao's death in 1976 was followed by the arrest of the Gang of Four, ending the Cultural Revolution.

Reform, opening up, and rise to global prominence

The post-Mao era was defined by Deng Xiaoping, who became the paramount leader. He initiated the Chinese economic reform and the Opening up of China policy, establishing Special Economic Zones like Shenzhen. The Tiananmen Square protests of 1989 presented a major political challenge. Economically, growth accelerated under successors Jiang Zemin and Zhu Rongji, with China joining the World Trade Organization in 2001. The period saw the return of Hong Kong and Macau from British and Portuguese rule under the one country, two systems principle. By century's end, China had significantly expanded its global influence through enhanced diplomacy and economic power.

Category:20th century in China Category:History of China by period