The Communist Party of China was formed in 1921. Mao Zedong took control in 1927. Mao Zedong lead the revolution and the communist party took complete control in 1947. Mao Zedong split from the traditional Marxism-Leninism and formed Maoism. Maoism is a chinese interpretation of communism. The Maoists started a strong communist tradition instituting the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution. After Mao Zedong's death, Deng Xiaoping took over and formed "market socialism." He instituted the "Four Modernizations" describing agriculture, industry, science and technology, and the military. Deng resigned in 1989 after the Tienanmen Square Massacre. The current constitution was formed in 1982 and is continually revised.
Mao zedong
Mao Zedong was born on December 26, 1893. He trained to be a teacher and after his training he traveled to Beijing and worked in the University Library. This was when he read the Marxism literature. In 1921, he became the founder of the CCP, Chinese Communist Party. In 1923, the KMT nationalist party allied with the CCP to defeat the warlords who controlled most of Northern China. Then in 1927, the KMT launched an anti-communism purge. Mao retreated to south east China and in 1934 the KMT surrounded them. Mao led his followers on the "Long March," a 6000 mile journey to northwest China, to set up a new base. Between 1937-45 the CCP and KMT were allies in the war against Japan during WWII but immediately after that war ended, a civil war broke out between the two. The communists were victorious and on October 1, 1949 Mao proclaimed the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC). Mao launched the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution. Mao died on September 6, 1976.
Boxer rebellion
The Boxer Rebellion was an anti-foreign, proto-nationalism movement by the Righteous Harmony Society in China between 1899-1901 opposing foreign imperialism and Christianity. This took place during a severe drought and economic disruption in response to growth of foreign influence. "Support the Qing, exterminate the foreigners." On June 21, 1900, the Imperial Court authorized war on foreign powers. Diplomats, foreign civilians, and soldiers were under siege by the Imperial Army of China and the Boxers for 55 days. The Eight-Nation Alliance brought 20000 armed troops to China to defeat the Imperial Army and finally captured Beijing on August 21. The Boxer Protocol on September 7, 1901 provided for execution of government officials that supported the Boxers, provisions for foreign troops to be stationed in Beijing, and an indemnity of 67 million pounds to be paid over a course of the 39 years to the eight nations involved (United Kingdom, Russia, Japan, France, United States, Germany, Italy, and Austria-Hungary).
Tibet
Tibet is a plateau region in Asia, northeast of the Himalayas, in the PRC. It is the homeland of Tibetan people as well as Monpas, Qiang, Lhobas, Han, and Hui. Tibet is the highest region on earth. In the 7th empire, Tibet emerged as an empire but soon divided into many territories. After the fall of the Qing dynasty in 1912, Qing soldiers were disarmed and escorted out of Tibet. The region declared its independence in 1913. Tibet maintained its independence until 1951, following a military conflict, Tibet was incorporated into the PRC and the previous government was abolished after a failed uprising in 1959. Tibet's economy is sustained by its agriculture and tourism. The most popular region in Tibet is Tibetan Buddhism. Tibetan Buddhism is influenced on art, music, and festivals of the region.
Tiananmen square
In May, 1989, nearly a million Chinese students crowded into central Beijing to protest for greater democracy and call for the resignations of Chinese Communist Party leaders. For nearly 3 weeks, the protesters kept up their daily vigils, marched, and chanted. Western Reporters captured much of the drama for television and newspaper audiences in the United States and Europe. On June 4, 1989, however, Chinese troops and security police stormed through Tiananmen Square, firing indiscriminately into the crowds of protesters. Turmoil ensued as thousands of protesters tried to escape the rampaging Chinese forces. Other protesters fought back, stoning the attacking troops and overturning and setting fire to the military vehicles. It was estimated to more than 300 deaths and more than 10000 arrests.
Silk road
The Silk Road is a historically important international trade route between China and the Mediterranean. Since silk comprised a large portion of trade along this road, it was named "Silk Road." This road was a cultural bridge linking the cultures of China, India, Persia, Arabia, Greek and Roman.
qin
The terracotta army of the first Qin Dynasty ruler Shihuangdi represents the emperor's ability to control the resources of the newly unified China. Qin Shihuangdi began to connect existing walls to create the first version of the Great Wall. He also constructed an extensive network of roads and canals, created standardized written language and money, and abolished feudalism. Qin Shihuangdi died in 210 BC.
Empress wu
Empress Wu is the only female to have ever ruled in China. She ruled during the Tang dynasty. The Tang dynasty was a time of relative freedom for women. They did not bind their feet nor did they lead submissive lives. Wu was born into a rich and noble family and was taught to play music, write, and read the Chinese classics. By 13 years old, she was known for her wit, intelligence, and beauty, and was recruited to the court of Emperor Tai Tsung. She soon became his favorite concubine but she also had eyes for his son, Kao Tsung. When Tai Tsung died, Kao took over and Wu was now 27 years old. Wu became Kao's favorite concubine giving birth to the sons he wanted. As mother to the future Emperor of China, she grew in power. She managed to eliminate Kao Tsung's wife by accusing her of killing her newborn daughter. Kao Tsung then married Wu. 5 years later Kao suffered a stroke. Empress Wu took over the administrative duties of the court. She created a secret police to watch her opposition and killed anybody who got in her way. She outflanked her oldest sons and her youngest, and weakest, son took power. He then stepped down and she took over. Wu reduced the size of the military and stopped the influence of of aristocratic military men on government and replaced them with scholars. Everyone had to compete for government positions by taking exams. Wu was also fair to peasants, lowering oppressive taxes, raising agricultural productions, and strengthening public works. She replaced Buddhism over Daoism and Chinese Buddhism achieved its highest development under her reign. In 705 she was pressured to give up the throne to her 3rd son and she died peacefully at the age of 80.
Confucius
Confucius, born in 551 BC, was a Chinese teacher, editor, politician, and philosopher of the Spring and Autumn period. The philosophy of Confucius emphasized personal and government morality, correctness of social relationships, justice, and sincerity. He championed strong family loyalty, ancestor worship, respect of elders by their children, and of husbands by their wives. He formed the earlier version of the Golden Rule "Do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself." Confucius died in 479 BC.
Forbidden city
The Forbidden City was the imperial palace from the Ming Dynasty to the end of the Qing Dynasty. It is located in the middle of Beijing and now houses the Palace Museum. For about 500 year, it was the home to the emperors and their households. The complex consists of 980 buildings and covers 7,800,000 square feet. The palace's architecture has influenced cultural and architectural influences in East Asia and elsewhere. It was declared a World Heritage Site in 1987.