KSCA028 History of Modern China (from the mid of 19th c.)

Faculty of Arts
Autumn 2024
Extent and Intensity
2/0/0. 4 credit(s) (plus 1 credit for an exam). Recommended Type of Completion: k (colloquium). Other types of completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Bc. Denisa Hilbertová, M.A. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Bc. Denisa Hilbertová, M.A.
Department of Chinese Studies – Asia Studies Centre – Faculty of Arts
Contact Person: Mgr. Bc. Denisa Hilbertová, M.A.
Supplier department: Department of Chinese Studies – Asia Studies Centre – Faculty of Arts
Timetable
Wed 16:00–17:40 K21, except Mon 18. 11. to Sun 24. 11.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The goal of this course is to provide an overview of Chinese history from early 19th century until the modern 1990s. Since the 18th century Chinese empire was under the pressure of European powers to open its market. After China lost the First and Second Opium War, it was forced to open Treaty ports, legalize the sell of opium, and allow foreign missionaries on its land. Strong foreign influence, destabilized economy and weak emperors resulted into the fall of this two thousand year old civilization. The 20th century itself did not bring much needed relief to the Chinese citizens. The brutality of Civil war, Japanese invasion and new communist regime caused millions of deaths. Even through its traumatic past, China was able to regain its position among the world powers at the end of last century. Major topics the course will cover: - Historical development of China in 19th and 20th century - Consequences of Western interest in China - Chinese revolts, Fall of the Qing empire and the turbulent changes in the first half of the 20th century - Establishment of P.R.C., Mao’s rule and its the main events of this period - China after Mao’ s death and the development afterwards -- The aim of the course is to acquaint students with historical events in China since the first opium war in the early 19th century to 1989 and analyze their impact on contemporary Chinese society and the internal and foreign policy of the PRC. In the course of individual lectures thematically focused on the most significant milestones in Chinese history, students will approach issues by reading specialist literature, which will form the basis of the exam.
Attention will be paid mainly to the following areas: - historical development in early 19 and the 20th century - international influence and geopolitical interests - the main ideological trends that influenced development in China - the life of ordinary Chinese people.
Learning outcomes
After completing this course, the student will be able to: - Describe the main history events of Chinese modern history - Explain the basic reason(s) of historical development - Analyze local and foreign cultural influence as well as the regime’s pressure - The role of economic reforms on today’ s China
Syllabus
  • 1. Introduction 2. The beginning of the end – Opium Wars a) Causes b) Interests of involved parties c) Treaties d) Consequences 3. Fall of Qing empire a) Rebellions b) Empress Dowager Cixi c) First Sino-Japanese War d) The last emperor 4. Chinese revolution a) The First World War in the Far East b) Sun Yat-sen, Kuomintang, Chiang Kai-shek c) The Communist Party of China d) Fight for survival – Lives of common people 5. The Civil War a) Political struggle b) Foreign concessions c) The Long March d) Rise of Mao Zedong 6. Second Sino-Japanese War 1937-1945 a) Japanese invasion b) Nanking massacre c) The puppet state of Manchukuo d) Send World Ward in the Far East e) Fragile cooperation – KMT and CCP f) Territorial gains 7. KMT loses a) Resumption of the Civil War b) Western interests c) KMT‘ s retreat d) Establishment of P.R.C. 8. 1950s a) Mao Zedong b) Political campaigns c) The Big Leap Forward 9. 1960s and 1970s a) The hard awakening b) Mao’s step back c) Cultural Revolution 10. Personality Cult a) Propaganda b) P.R.C.‘ s position in the world affairs c) Hope of a better future 11. Economic Boom a) 1980s b) Communism with Chinese characteristics c) Tian’anmen 12. Tian’anmen a) Consequences and legacy b) Word’s response c) The legacy of Deng Xiaoping
Literature
    required literature
  • FAIRBANK, John F. Dějiny Číny. Praha: Nakladatelství Lidové noviny, 1998, 656 s. ISBN 9788074220074. info
    recommended literature
  • 4. CHANG, Yong. Divoké labutě. Praha : Knižní klub, 1996. ISBN 80-7176-389-6.
  • BAKEŠOVÁ, Ivana. Čína ve XX. století. Díl 2. 1. vyd. Olomouc: Univerzita Palackého, 2003, 218 s. ISBN 80-244-0611-X. info
  • BAKEŠOVÁ, Ivana. Čína ve XX. století. 1. vyd. Olomouc: Univerzita Palackého, 2001, 125 s. ISBN 8024402513. info
Teaching methods
Lectures
Assessment methods
- Test - Oral exam
Language of instruction
Czech
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
Information on completion of the course: DŮLEŽITÉ: Posluchači jednooborových Kulturních studií Číny povinně zapisují ZKOUŠKU, dvouoborových KOLOKVIUM.
The course is taught annually.
Listed among pre-requisites of other courses
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2017, Spring 2018, Autumn 2018, Spring 2020, Spring 2021, Spring 2022, Spring 2023, Spring 2024.
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