Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Global History II
Internal Problems
∆ The Taiping Rebellion:
• Poverty and misery were on the rise in China, as natural, social, political, and
economic disasters and scandals were eroding the Chinese way of life. This
ended up causing rebellions.
• The Taiping rebellion is often referred to as the most devastating peasant revolt in
history. Started by a schoolteacher with aspirations at glory, the rebels wanted to
achieve a nation that would be a “Heavenly Kingdom of Great Peace”, or Taiping.
• The rebels won control of large parts of China for 14 years; however, the
government overthrew them eventually.
∆ Effects: The rebellion’s most lasting effect was to severely cripple the Qing dynasty.
Reform Efforts
∆ Self-Strengthening Movement: Though hindered by the disapproval of the
government, the movement allowed the westernization of China, for the most part.
∆ War With Japan: The Sino-Japanese war resulted from Japan’s shift to western
ideology in almost every aspect of their culture. China lost miserably, and during
peace negotiations showed their still-present preference of their traditional ideology
by wearing flowing robes while the Japanese dressed in western clothes.
∆ Spheres of Influence: China’s crushing defeat left it vulnerable to western attack, and
the western imperialists carved China up in the same manner as Africa. The U.S. did
not participate for fear of being shut out from trade with either Europe or China in the
aftermath.
∆ Hundred Days of Reform: Unrest among the Chinese citizens due to their situation
led to the need for a scapegoat. Blame settled on conservatives in the government.
Guang Xu, who became emperor in 1898, tried to initiate reform, but was revolted
against by conservatives and imprisoned. His policy was known as the “Hundred
Days of Reform”
Fascism Q’s
1. What is Fascism?
A form of government in which the national interest is placed above the interest of
anything or anyone else. Due to its nature, it often leads to totalitarianism.
Freedom was “bad” in Russia, Germany, Italy, etc., because people in power misused it,
leading to the collapse of the economy and the country’s many problems; at least, this
was what Russians, Germans, Italians, etc., thought, and it is why they were willing to
give up their freedom in exchange for a fascist state where “the trains are always on
time.”