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Class 8 Social Science Chapter 13 Building New Nations Notes Questions and Answers
Class 8 Social Science Building New Nations Notes Questions and Answers
Class 8 Social Science Chapter 13 Question Answer Kerala Syllabus
Question 1.
Answer:
- The right to life
- The right to liberty
- The right to well-being
Question 2.
Find and list out the colonies established by the Pilgrim Fathers from the figure.
Answer:
Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina
South Carolina, Georgia, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia
Question 3.
Discuss and prepare a note on how the trade laws helped to exploit the colonies.
Answer:
The trade laws introduced by Britain greatly exploited the colonies by controlling all their economic
activities. Colonies were allowed to transport goods only in British or colonial ships, which increased Britain’s profits. Important goods like wool and tobacco could be exported to Europe only through England, and even goods from Europe had to pass through England before reaching the colonies. This prevented the colonies from trading freely and forced them to sell their products at low prices and buy goods at higher rates. The Stamp Act further burdened them with additional taxes on legal documents and newspapers. Through these laws, Britain gained wealth while the colonies remained economically dependent and powerless.
Question 4.
Prepare a flowchart including the main events related to the Continental Congress.
Answer: Opposition to British Laws → Growing Unity Among Colonies → Representatives Meet at Philadelphia → Continental Congress Formed.
First Philadelphia Congress – 1774
- 12 colonies except Georgia participated
- It was decided to suspend trade with Britain until the grievances were resolved
Second Philadelphia Congress – 1775
- Olive Branch Petition was submitted before the King of Britain
- George Washington was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the American army
- War with Britain commenced
Third Philadelphia Congress – 1776
- The famous Declaration of Independence was issued
- It was drafted by Thomas Jefferson.
Question 5.
Complete the diagram.
Answer:
Question 6.
Prepare a wall magazine including the events that led to the formation of the United States of America.
Answer:
(Hints: Prepare a wall magazine by using the given steps)
Step 1: Select a Title
Step 2: Collect Key Events
- Thirteen Colonies
- British Taxes and Acts
- Boston Tea Party
- First Continental Congress
- Second Continental Congress
- Declaration of Independence
- American Revolutionary War
- Treaty of Paris
- Formation of the Constitution
Step 3: Write Short Captions
Step 4: Include Pictures/Drawings
Question 7.
Prepare a note discussing how the inequality that existed in the North American states and the South American states caused conflict between them.
Answer:
The Northern and Southern states of America grew very differently, which created inequality and conflict between them. The North developed industries and used paid labour, while the South depended on large plantations that relied on enslaved African workers. Because of this, the North opposed slavery, but the South strongly supported it to protect its economy. As new states were added to the nation, both sides argued over whether slavery should be allowed there. These disagreements increased tension and mistrust, and the inequality between the two regions eventually became a major cause of conflict, leading to open clashes and later the Civil War.
Question 8.
Organise an open forum on ‘Slavery and Civil War in America.’
Answer:
(Hints)
The Europeans brought slaves from Africa to America for agricultural purposes until the early 19th century. The people of the northern states discouraged the system of slavery. With a view to abolishing the system of slavery, activities had been started long before under the leadership of John Woolman. As. a result of his Work, the importation of slaves into the United States was banned in 1808. The southern states, which were in favour of slavery, argued that slavery was necessary for the existence of plantation agriculture, and setting them free was u danger to the country. However, the northern states argued that one man keeping another man as his own property Was contrary to the ideals of the Constitution of the United States. Abraham Lincoln was a leader of the Republican Party that was committed to ending * slavery. He was elected President in 1860. Thirteen states, led by South Carolina, left the Union. They formed a new alliance called ‘The Confederate States of America’ to protect their rights. However, the northern states questioned the right to leave the Union. This led to Civil War.
Question 9.
Discuss and prepare a note on the role of Abraham Lincoln in maintaining the unity of America.
Answer:
In 1861, war broke out between the Confederate States and the Union States. The Union States finally won in the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863. On January 1, 1863, Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation so as to free the slaves in the United States. This is known as the famous Emancipation Proclamation. Lincoln expressed his sympathy for the defeated southern states. He was able to achieve his goal of abolishing slavery while maintaining the unity of the United States.
Question 10.
In our day, the peasants have been robbed-by means of all the tricks and achievements, all the progress of civilisation-robbed to such an extent that they are starving, eating goosefoot, eating lumps of dirt in lieu of bread, suffering from scurvy, and dying in agony. At the same time, the Russian landlords, with Nicholas II as their head, and the Russian capitalists are raking in money wholesale…
Lenin, Collected Works, Volume 17, page 527.
(Trans, by DoraCox)
From the above statements, what can we learn about the lives of the peasants and the common people in Russia? How did these circumstances lead the Russian people to revolution?
Answer:
Lenin’s statement shows that the peasants and common people in Russia lived in miserable and inhuman conditions. They were heavily exploited by landlords, capitalists, and the government under Tsar Nicholas II. Peasants were so poor that they often starved, survived on wild plants, or even ate mud, while the ruling classes grew richer. This extreme inequality, hunger, and suffering created deep anger and frustration among the people. As their hardships increased and the government ignored their misery, the peasants and workers began to demand change. These harsh circumstances leading to the Russian Revolution.
Question 11.
Prepare a note evaluating the circumstances that led to the growth of political parties in Russia.
Answer:
The domination and exploitation of foreign capitalists led to the formation of trade unions among the peasants and workers. This led to the growth of political awareness among them. It is in this context that political parties were formed.
Question 12.
Prepare a flip album including various events that led to the February Revolution and the October Revolution.
Answer:
(Hints: Prepare a flip album by using the given key events)
February Revolution – Key Events
- Women workers struck work on March 8, 1917, shouting “Down with the autocracy.”
- Workers and soldiers joined together in protest.
- Tsar Nicholas II was forced to step down on March 15. 1917.
- A Provisional Government under Kerensky was formed.
October Revolution – Key Events
- Lenin said the Provisional Government served capitalists and must be replaced by the Soviets.
- The Red Guard was formed to lead the uprising.
- Bolsheviks captured key offices: postal, railway stations, and banks.
- They seized the Winter Palace and overthrew Kerensky’s government.
Question 13.
Prepare model slides necessary to create a presentation on the circumstances that led to the formation of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
Answer:
- Slide 1: Title Slide (Formation of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR)
- Slide 2: Background of Russia Before Revolution (Low wages, long working hours)
- Slide 3: February Revolution (1917)
- Slide 4: Rise of Lenin & Bolsheviks
- Slide 5: October Revolution (1917)
- Slide 6: Economic Challenges After Revolution
- Slide 7: New Economic Policy (NEP), 1921
- Slide 8: Formation of USSR
- Slide 9: Conclusion
Question 14.
Discuss and prepare a note on how the Opium War led to the strengthening of European dominance in China.
Answer:
The foreign powers came to China with commercial interest. European traders made huge profits from China through the opium trade. The use of opium, a narcotic substance, quickly spread in China, which harmed the health of the people and drained the wealth of the nation. This resulted in a war between China and Britain, known as the ‘Opium War.’ China was defeated in this war. After that, according to the Treaty of Nanking, the major ports of China, Canton, Amoy, Ningbo, and Shanghai, were opened to foreign trade.
Question 15.
Prepare a pamphlet discussing the role of Sun Yat-sen and his ideas in ending the monarchy in China.
Answer:
After the boxer rebellion, the emperor implemented some reforms in China. However, the reforms of the emperor did not satisfy the people of China. The people believed that China could be liberated from Western powers only if the Manchu dynasty which ruled China was overthrown from power. They were led by Dr. Sun Yat-sen. He put forward the ideas of nationalism, democracy, and socialism. The Kuomintang Party was formed to achieve this goal. Following the revolution of 1911, the Manchu dynasty was overthrown from power and a republican government was formed.
Question 16.
Prepare a profile album by discussing the role of Mao Zedong in the formation of the People’s Republic.
Answer:
The Chinese Communist Party, formed in 1921 under the leadership of Mao Zedong, was able to influence the peasants and workers. Russia helped the Kuomintang Republic for the progress in various areas of China. Sun Yat-sen, who maintained close ties with the communists, died in 1925. Chiang Kai-shek who came to power after the death of Sun Yat-sen opened up coal and iron production, banking, insurance, and foreign trade to foreign powers. As a result, foreign powers controlled over all sectors. Through this, they took a huge amount of money from China. The Communist Party under the leadership of Mao Zedong opposed these policies. The Red Army led this resistance. In 1934, Mao Zedong organised his famous ‘Long March’ by rallying peasants gnd workers. On April 21, 1949, the Red Army captured Nanjing, the capital of the Kuomintang government. Then, on October first, under the leadership of Mao Zedong, China was declared the People’s Republic of China.
Class 8 Building New Nations Questions and Answers Extended Activities
Question 1.
Prepare a digital presentation including the events that led to the American War of Independence.
Answer:
(Hints: Prepare a digital presentation by including the given major events)
- British Exploitation of the Colonies
- Imposition of Heavy Taxes
- Boston Tea Party (1773)
- The First Continental Congress (1774)
- Outbreak of the War (1775)
- Declaration of Independence (1776)
Question 2.
Prepare a list of the regions that were annexed to the USSR after the Russian Revolution.
Answer:
- Russia
- Ukraine
- Belarus
- Transcaucasian Region, which included:
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Georgia
Question 3.
Collect information on major revolutions in the world and prepare a digital album.
Answer:
(Hints: Collect information about the given revolutions using the Internet and prepare a digital album.) Major Revolutions:
- American Revolution
- French Revolution
- Haitian Revolution
- Industrial Revolution
- Russian Revolution
- Chinese Revolution
Question 4.
Present the major events related to the Russian Revolution and the Chinese Revolution through mind mapping.
Answer:
| Aspect |
Russian Revolution |
Chinese Revolution |
| Main Causes |
- Autocratic rule of Tsar Nicholas II
- Poverty, food shortage
- Harsh working conditions
|
- Foreign domination in China
- Poverty & inequality
|
| Leaders |
- Vladimir Lenin
- Leon Trotsky
- Tsar Nicholas II
|
- Sun Yat-sen
- Mao Zedong
- Chiang Kai-shek
|
| Outcomes |
- End of Tsarist monarchy
- Establishment of USSR
|
- Formation of Republic of China
- Establishment of People’s Republic of China
|
Building New Nations Class 8 Notes Pdf
Std 8 Social Science Building New Nations Notes
- The Puritans were a Christian group in England. They were conservative in matters of worship.
- Seven Year War is the war between Britain and France to ensure trade monopoly. It began in 1756 and ended with the Treaty of Paris in 1763.
- In 1781, the American army under the leadership of George Washington defeated the English army led by Cornwallis at Yorktown with the help of France and Spain.
- Slavery is one of the basic reasons for the conflict between the American states.
- The Civil War was the most complicated event that the United States of America faced after the Revolution. –
- The League of Nations defined slavery as the condition in which a person is subject to the absolute power of another.
- The anti-slavery newspaper The Liberator and Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stowe’s book Uncle Tom’s Cabin strengthened public sentiment against slavery.
- Abraham Lincoln was a leader of the Republican Party that was committed to ending slavery.
- On January 1,1863, Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation so as to free the slaves in the United States. This is known as the famous Emancipation Proclamation.
- The autocratic rulers who ruled Russia were known as Tsars.
- The massacre in St. Petersburg on January 22,1905, is known as ‘Bloody Sunday.’
- There were two classes of people in Russian society. The common people consisted of workers and peasants, and the wealthy class consisted of nobles and capitalists.
- Writers also played a major role in creating a favourable environment for the revolution.
- On March 8,1917, women workers led a strike and march in Petrograd, shouting the slogan “Down with the autocracy.”
- Lenin, the leader of the Bolshevik Party, brought the Russian Revolution’to its completion.
- Lenin took several revolutionary measures in the economic sphere. The New Economic Policy was a
reform implemented by Lenin in 1921. i EXAMPOiNT
- The use of opium, a narcotic substance, quickly spread in China, which harmed the health of the people and drained the wealth of the nation. This resulted in a war between China and Britain, known as the ‘Opium War.’
- Many secret agencies were formed in China. One such secret agency was the Boxers.
- The Chinese Communist Party, formed in 1921 under the leadership of Mao Zedong, was able to influence the peasants and workers.
- In 1934, Mao Zedong organised his famous ‘Long March’ by rallying peasants and workers.
- On April 21, 1949, the Red Army captured Nanjing, the capital of the Kuomintang government. Then, on October first, under the leadership of Mao Zedong, China was declared the People’s Republic of China.
- Under the leadership of Mao Zedong several economic reforms were implemented in China. These are known as The Great Leap Forward.
Introduction
In this chapter, we discussed the resistance of the people who were denied freedom due to the intervention of the imperialist capitalist powers in various countries. Revolutions are major events that bring big changes in a country’s political and social life. The American Revolution happened because the people wanted freedom from British rule and unfair taxes, and it resulted in the creation of the United States as an independent democratic nation. The Russian Revolution began due to people’s suffering under the Tsar, poverty, and the effects of World War I, and it ended with the fall of the monarchy and the rise of a communist government. The Chinese Revolution occurred after a long civil war between the Communists and Nationalists, leading to the formation of the People’s Republic of China. All these revolutions changed their countries in important ways and shaped their future.
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE IN AMERICA
Factors That Motivated The People Of America To Issue Declaration Of Independence.
Colonial Control
The Puritans were a Christian group in England. They were conservative in matters of worship.
They were in conflict with other Christian groups in the country. Hence A group of Puritans known as the Pilgrim Fathers, who arrived in America on a ship named the Mayflower, established a colony called Plymouth (Massachusetts) in North America. Later, twelve more colonies were also formed. Most of the people lived in these colonies were the English. The King of England appointed governors in the colonies to control these people who had arrived in America without the support of their motherland. This let to the discontentment among the colonists.
Trade Control
The British government tried to establish trade control in the colonies through legislation. They turned the colonies into a trade monopoly for storing raw materials and selling manufactured goods. Trade laws implemented by Britain are:
- Goods from colonies to colonies could only be transported on the British ships or on the ships of the colonies.
- Goods such as wool, tobacco, and ship’s sails could be sent to Europe via England only. Goods from Europe could only be transported via England only.
- The Stamp Act of 1765 insisted that Deeds of will, legal documents, and pamphlets be marked with a fixed value stamp. An additional tax was imposed to recoup the cost of protecting the colonies from French attacks.
Although this law was repealed in 1766 due to increasing public outrage, the British Parliament was vested with the right to impose taxes on the colony. The colonists started a rebellion on realising that such measures by Britain would seriously affect the American people. There were some other factors that urged the colonists to fight against Britain.
- The colonists’ fear of the French disappeared as a result of the Seven Year War
- The military experience gained as a result of participating in the war
- Awareness of one’s own strength
Boston Tea Party
Lord North, the Prime Minister of Britain, enacted the Tea Act in 1773. This law forced the colonists to buy tea from the East India Company. Protesters who were dressed as Red Indians boarded ships that had arrived in port and threw away chests of tea into the sea. This incident is known as the Boston Tea Party.
Unification of the Colonies
The opposition to the laws imposed on the American colonies by the British government led to a growing sense of unity among the colonies. As a result of this sense of unity, representatives of the colonists assembled in Philadelphia. This is also known as the Continental Congress.
| First Philadelphia Congress – 1774 |
- 12 colonies except Georgia participated
- It was decided to suspend trade with Britain until the grievances were resolved
|
| Second Philadelphia Congress – 1775 |
- Olive Branch Petition was submitted before the King of Britain
- George Washington was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the American army
- War with Britain commenced
|
| Third Philadelphia Congress – 1776 |
- The famous Declaration of Independence was issued
- It was drafted by Thomas Jefferson
|
Olive Branch Petition
This was a petition submitted by the colonists declaring their loyalty to the king, with the aim of avoiding war with Britain. They also demanded the repeal of laws passed after 1765.
Philosophy and Revolution
Philosophers and their ideas that influenced the Americans:
- ‘No taxation without representation’ – James Otis
- ‘It is prudent for the Americans to separate from England’ – Thomas Paine
- ‘Man has certain fundamental rights. No government has the right to violate them’ – John Locke
Seven Year War
It is the war between Britain and France to ensure trade monopoly. It began in 1756 and ended with the Treaty of Paris in 1763.
Towards Independence
- In 1781, the American army under the leadership of George Washington defeated the English army led by Cornwallis at Yorktown with the help of France and Spain.
- Further, in accordance with the Treaty of Paris in 1783, Britain accepted the independence of the 13 American colonies.
Drafting New Constitution
After the war, the colonies drafted the framework of the constitution called the Articles of Confederation. In this regard, a convention was held in Philadelphia under the leadership of George Washington to complete the constitution. According to the constitution prepared by this convention, George Washington was elected the first President of the United States of America.
Features of the Constitution of the United States of America:
- The Constitution of the United States is a written one in the federal system. Accordingly, each state joining the union had certain powers of its own.
- The smallest constitution in the world
- The central government has authority over foreign affairs, war, interstate trade, and currency
- The state governments had representation in the central government
- The powers of the three branches of government such as the Congress, the President, and the Judiciary are clearly specified.
The growth achieved by the United States in the economic, industrial, educational, scientific and technological fields after the Revolution helped the nation that had fought for its independence, grow into a major world power. The American War of Independence made significant contributions to the world.
George Washington
He was bom in 1732. His father was Augustine Washington and his mother was Mary Ball. He served as the Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, the head of the Constitutional Convention and the first President of the United States of America.
CIVIL WAR AND UNITY
Slavery is one of the basic reasons for the conflict between the American states. The Civil War was the most complicated event that the United States of America faced after the Revolution.
Diverse States
There existed diversities in the agricultural, educational and economic sectors among the provinces of the United States of America.
| North American States |
South American States |
| Industry and commerce were the main sectors |
- Agriculture was the main sector
- Presence of organised plantations
|
| Did not depend on others for industrial products |
- There were very few factories
- Had to depend on the northern states or England for industrial products
|
| Gave importance to education
Primary education was free and compulsory |
- Education was not given importance
- Far behind in literacy
|
Slavery
The Europeans brought slaves from Africa to America for agricultural purposes until the early 19th century.The League of Nations defined slavery as the condition in which a person is subject to the absolute power of another. The people of the northern states discouraged the system of slavery. With a view to abolishing the system of slavery, activities had been started long before under the leadership of John Woolman. As a result of his work, the importation of slaves into the United States was banned in 1808. The southern states’, which were in favour of slavery, argued that slavery was necessary for the existence of plantation agriculture, and setting them free was a danger to the country. However, the northern states argued that one man keeping another man as his own property was contrary to the ideals of the Constitution of the United States.
The anti-slavery newspaper The Liberator and Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stowe’s book Uncle Tom’s. Cabin strengthened public sentiment against slavery. This increased the conflict between the northern and the southern states.
From Ballot To Battlefield
Abraham Lincoln was a leader of the Republicah Party that was committed to ending slavery. He was elected President in 1860. Thirteen states, led by South Carolina, left the Union. They formed a new alliance called ‘The Confederate States of America’ to protect their rights. However, the northern states questioned the light to leave the Union. This led to Civil War.
The Union Towards Victory
In 1861, war broke out between the Confederate States and the Union States. The Union States finally won in the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863. On January 1,1863, Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation so as to free the slaves in the United States. This is known as the famous Emancipation Proclamation. Lincoln expressed his sympathy for the defeated southern states. He was assassinated by a separatist named John Wilkes Booth on April 15,1865.
Abraham Lincoln
He was bom on February 12, 1809 in Kentucky. He was elected the 16th President of the United States in 1859. He was able to achieve his goal of abolishing slavery while maintaining the unity of the United States. In his Gettysburg Address, he defined democracy as “government, of the people, by the people, and for the neonle.”
RUSSIAN REVOLUTION
Tsar (Also ‘Czar’) And The People’S Assembly
- The autocratic rulers who ruled Russia were known as Tsars.
- The emperor had the power to appoint and dismiss officials, as well as to deport and imprison anyone.
Agitated with the miserable working conditions, the economic depression, and the ongoing war with Japan, the people, led by Father Gapon, marched to St. Petersburg to present a petition to Tsar Nicholas II requesting economic and political reforms. The army opened fire on the protesters, killing over a hundred workers. This massacre in St. Petersburg on January 22, 1905, is known as ‘Bloody Sunday.’ In response to the popular outrage, the Tsar agreed to form a parliament called the Duma. But he rejected all the reforms proposed by the Duma and attempted to suppress political freedom.
Workers And Revolution
There were two classes of people in Russian society. The common people consisted of workers and peasants, and the wealthy class consisted of nobles and capitalists. The peasants and workers, who were considered as the common people, were looked down upon by the rulers and nobles.
The main problems faced by the workers:
- Low wages
- Poor living conditions
- Long working hours
- The dominance of foreign capitalists in industries
The condition of the peasants was as miserable as that of the workers.
The domination and exploitation of foreign capitalists led to the formation of trade unions among the peasants and workers. This led to the growth of political awareness among them. It is in this context that political parties were formed.
Influence Of Ideas
Writers also played a major role in creating a favourable environment for the revolution. The writings of Leo Tolstoy, Turgenev and Maxim Gorky vividly portrayed the plight of the common people in a touching way.
But it was the Communist Manifesto, which contained the communist theories of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, that sparked the revolution and provided the necessary guidelines for it.
When World War I began, Russia also took part. Thousands of soldiers died due to the shortage of weapons and inadequate training. This led to criticism from the common people against the Tsarist regime. The shortage of food that occurred in Russia at this time aggravated the problems. This paved way for the awakening of revolutionary thoughts among the people.
Marxist Ideology
According to Marxist ideology, all political, social, and intellectual activities in human life are determined by the mode of production in society. Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, who formulated Marxist ideology, argued that workers are the basis of production and therefore the ideology should stand for their supremacy
End Of Monarchy
On March 8, 1917, women workers led a strike and march in Petrograd, shouting the slogan “Down with the autocracy.” The soldiers sent to suppress this strike joined the workers. Tsar Nicholas II was deposed on March 15, 1917, and a provisional government was formed under the Mensheviks’ leader, Aleksandr Kerensky. This revolution is known as the ‘February Revolution.’
Working Class Towards Dictatorship (Absolute Rule)
Lenin, the leader of the Bolshevik Party, brought the Russian Revolution to its completion. He argued that the Provisional Government served the interests of the capitalists and could not provide peace, food and freedom to the people, and therefore it should be replaced by a government of the Soviets. He put forward new ideas.
- Red Guard was the military unit formed to achieve this goal.
- The Bolsheviks seized all the important establishments in Petrograd, such as postal and telephone exchanges, railway stations, and banks.
- They then took over the Winter Palace, the headquarters of the Provisional Government. With this, the Provisional Government led by Alexander Kerensky was overthrown. This revolution is known as the
‘October Revolution.’
- Subsequently, Lenin declared Russia a Workers’ Republic and formed a government under his leadership. After the revolution, Lenin implemented some administrative reforms.
Lenin was born in 1870. He was convinced that fundamental changes in the social system could not be brought about by sccret organisations but could only be achieved by organising the workers, This view made the revolution of workers and peasants in Russia inevitable. Lenin led the October Revolution and the revolutionary government that followed.
Changing Economic Policy
- Lenin took several revolutionary measures in the economic sphere. The New Economic Policy was a reform implemented by Lenin in 1921.
- The New Economic Policy was a partial return to private trade, agriculture, and private investment.
Large industries were combined with trusts. At the same time, the government encouraged the cooperative sector. But there was a strict government control to prevent the revival of capitalism. By implementing the Four Economic Policy, he developed the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) into a world superpower.
April Theses
The April Theses were presented by Lenin at a joint meeting of the Bolshevik Party and the Soviets. The plans for the transition from bourgeois democracy to socialist revolution are outlined here. Here, he makes it clear that the current situation is to transfer the power into the hands of the workers and peasants.
CHINA ON THE PATH OF REVOLUTION
To Power Through Trade
The foreign powers came to China with commercial interest. European traders made huge profits from China through the opium trade. The use of opium, a narcotic substance, quickly spread in China, which harmed the health of the people and drained the wealth of the nation. This resulted in -a war between China and Britain, known as the ‘Opium War.’ China was defeated in this war. After that, according to the Treaty of Nanking, the major ports of China, Canton, Amoy, Ningbo, and Shanghai, were opened to foreign trade.
End Of Monarchy
The growing interference of foreign powers increased the resentment of the people against them in China. As a result, many secret agencies were formed in China. One such secret agency was the Boxers. Their symbol was the Boxers Fist. Their resistance against the European invasion is known as the ‘Boxer Rebellion.’ After the boxer rebellion, the emperor implemented some reforms in China.
- Western education was implemented in China
- A commission was appointed to study the political systems of European countries
However, these reforms of the emperor did not satisfy the people of China. The people believed that China could be liberated from Western powers only if the Manchu dynasty which ruled China was overthrown from power. They were led by Dr. Sun Yat-sen. He put forward the ideas of nationalism, democracy, and socialism. The Kuomintang Party was formed to achieve this goal.
- Following the revolution of 1911, the Manchu dynasty was overthrown from power and a republican government was formed.
- However, later, Sun Yat-sen, the President resigned and Yuan Shikai came to power. After his death in 1916, Sun Yat-sen came to power again.
People’s Republic Of China
- Russian communist ideas also began to spread in China.
- The Chinese Communist Party, formed in 1921 under the leadership of Mao Zedong, was able to influence the peasants and workers.
Russia helped the Kuomintang Republic for the progress in various areas of China. Sun Yat-sen, who maintained close ties with the communists, died in 1925. Chiang Kai-shek who came to power after the death of Sun Yat-sen opened up coal and iron production, banking, insurance, and foreign trade to foreign powers. As a result, foreign powers controlled over all sectors. Through this, they took a huge amount of money from China. The Communist Party under the leadership of Mao Zedong opposed these policies. The Red Army led this resistance. In 1934, Mao Zedong organised his famous ‘Long March’ by rallying peasants and workers.
Routes Of The Long March (8000 Miles)
The Long March started in Kiangsi, ended in Shenzi, and passed through 11 provinces on its long and difficult journey.
On April 21, 1949, the Red Army captured Nanjing, the capital of the Kuomintang government. Then, on October first, under the leadership of Mao Zedong, China was declared the People’s Republic of China.
Under the leadership of Mao Zedong several economic reforms were implemented in China. These are known as The Great Leap Forward.
Mao Zedong was bom as the son of Mao Yichang and Wen Qimei in Shaoshan on December 26, 1893. He was one of the founding members of the Chinese Communist Party. He led the Long March and is the founder of the People’s Republic of China also. He was able to improve literacy, women’s rights, and healthcare and thereby putting China at the forefront of the world.
