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

Faculty of Arts
Spring 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
Tue 12:00–13:40 B2.43, except Tue 16. 4.
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
there are 6 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
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
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
  • CHANG, Yong and Jon HALLIDAY. Mao : příběh, který možná neznáte. Translated by Michaela Ponocná. Vyd. 1. Praha: Beta-Dobrovský, 2006, 719 s. ISBN 8073062720. info
  • BAKEŠOVÁ, Ivana, Rudolf FÜRST and Zdenka HEŘMANOVÁ. Dějiny Taiwanu. Praha: Lidové noviny, 2004, 303 s. ISBN 8071067083. info
  • BAKEŠOVÁ, Ivana. Čína ve XX. století. 1. vyd. Olomouc: Univerzita Palackého, 2003, 218 s. ISBN 802440611X. info
  • BAKEŠOVÁ, Ivana. Čína ve XX. století. Díl 2. 1. vyd. Olomouc: Univerzita Palackého, 2003, 218 s. ISBN 80-244-0611-X. info
  • FAIRBANK, John King. Dějiny Číny. Praha: Lidové noviny, 1998, 656 s. ISBN 80-7106-249-9. 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 jednooborového plánu Čínských studií povinně zapisují ZKOUŠKU, posluchači hlavního plánu KOLOKVIUM. Ostatním posluchačům je doporučeno 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, Autumn 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2024, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/phil/spring2024/KSCA028