China, one of the oldest continuous civilisations, is currently undergoing dramatic change. The course looks at China’s turbulent history in the late 19th and the 20th centuries. The rise of Republicanism and the overthrow of the Qing Empire did not lead to stability but to years of warlord strife, Japanese invasion and civil war between Nationalists and Communists. Communist victory in 1949 led to more upheaval during Mao’s Great Leap Forward and the devastating Cultural Revolution. Astonishingly, despite this violent legacy, in the last thirty years China has gained a position as a major world power and is the largest economy after the USA.
Course aim
The course looks at China’s turbulent 20th century history following the overthrow of the Qing Empire, the upheaval of the Mao years, and how China has gained a position as a major world power.
Do I need any particular skills or experience?
- This course is for beginners and improvers
By the end of the course I should be able to:
- Indicate reasons for the collapse of Imperial China.
- Show how the Republicans, and then the Communists, came to power in China.
- Indicate significant political, social and economic changes in China in the 20th century.
- Select and analyse the significant environmental challenges in today’s China.
- Assess China’s place in the world today.
What else do I need to know?
The course is for anyone who is interested in China. Some background knowledge of earlier Chinese history would be an advantage but is not essential. Whilst the course will involve some detailed study, no special study skills are required.
View full course information sheet
