The Legacies of Imperial China and the Dawning of the Revolutionary 20th Century

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The Legacies of Imperial China and the Dawning of the Revolutionary 20th Century

Revolutionaries “seizing power” misnomer

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The Legacies of Imperial China and the Dawning of the Revolutionary 20th Century

Successful revolutions have multiple parts Breakdown of old

regime Creation of new

political order Ideology Organization Mass support

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States and Social Revolutions

Theda Skocpol: explaining social revolutions States are “Janus-faced”; they face

Domestic classes & groups International system of states & global economy

Breakdown of old state apparatus key part of revolutionary situation Domestically—domestic rebellion Internationally—defeat in international war

Creation of new political order key part of successful revolution (next class)

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States and Social Revolutions

What are the defining characteristics of revolution?

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Defining Characteristics of REVOLUTION

Fundamental change inpolitical structurenature of political elitesideological basis for ruleclass structurenature of societal elites

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Functioning and breakdown of old regime

Normal functions of imperial state

How they broke down through Internal decline External challenge

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Normal functions of the Qing State(progressively undermined)

Tax collection Maintenance of

public order Maintenance of

basic infrastructure Provision of minimal

social welfare and relief

Propagation of ideology and perpetuation of system of rule

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Confucian ideology

Ideal of social harmony

Through knowing one’s place 5 relationships

Ruler/ruled Father/son Husband/wife Elder/younger Friend/friend

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Confucian Ideology

Mandate of heaven

“Right to rebel”

The core functions of the Qing state were undermined by both internal and external sources of decline in the 19th Century.

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Long-term Causes of Revolutionary Change in 20th C China

Internal: decline of Qing imperial state

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Internal Sources of Decline in the 19th Century

“Phenomenal” population increase Increasing economic competition for

survival Corruption of regime Series of major rebellions

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Series of Major Rebellions in 19th C

Taiping Rebellion (1850-1864) Nian Rebellion (1853-1868) Others

suppressed by provincial armies outside of central state control

Est. 100 million deaths in rebellions

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Small Group Discussion Question

What’s the difference between a rebellion and a revolution?

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Small Group Discussion Question

What’s the difference between a rebellion and a revolution?

Perry (p.2) Revolution: violent process that both envisions and

achieves rapid political, social, economic, and cultural transformation

Rebellion: more common phenomenon of organized protest against the government—without any stipulation as to ideology, class consciousness, or political success

Blecher (p.39) Revolution: basic transformation of society’s state and

class structures—requires a leadership with an analysis of the past, a vision of the future, and a political strategy and organization to lead society from the former to the latter

i.e. ideology and organization: stay tuned for next class

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States and Social Revolutions

Theda Skocpol: explaining social revolutions Breakdown of old state apparatus key

part of revolutionary situation Domestically—domestic rebellion Internationally—defeat in international war

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Long-term Causes of Revolutionary Change in 20th C China

External: Western and Japanese challenges to Qing imperial state

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External Sources of Decline in the 19th Century

Defeat in wars with Western powers and Japan Opium Wars

1839-1842 1856-1860

Sino-Japanese War 1894-1895

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External Sources of Decline in the 19th Century

Fundamental challenge to belief system

Traditional exam system abolished 1905

Contrast: Macartney Mission 1793

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States and Social Revolutions

Theda Skocpol: explaining social revolutionsToday: Breakdown of old state apparatus key

part of revolutionary situation Domestically—domestic rebellion Internationally—defeat in international war

Next class: Creation of new political order key part

of successful revolution Ideology Organization Mass support