Chapter 31

World Geography Copyright © 2003 by Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ. All rights reserved. Section 1: The Emergence of Modern China Section 2: Regions of China Section 3: China's People and Culture Section 4: China's Neighbors Chapter 31: China

The Emergence of Modern China What were the results of China’s early contacts with Western powers? What conflicts within China have left the country open to a Communist takeover? What were the purposes and results of the program known as the Great Leap Forward? How did a series of modernizations attempt to change China? 1

Early Contacts With the West Lack of military technology was a serious disadvantage in the 1800s, as industrialized countries used their military strength to force their way into China. Western powers carved China up into spheres of influence, in which these countries had some political and economic control, but did not govern directly. Amid disagreement about the extent to which Western culture should be adopted, the Nationalist People’s party emerged as a political force. The Nationalists seized power in 1911, forced the emperor to abdicate, and then declared China a republic. 1

A Struggle for Power In the 1920s, a split developed in the Nationalists Party as some members adopted Communist ideas. When Nationalist President Chiang Kai-shek ordered the Communists in the Nationalist party killed, they fled into the mountains and were later pursued in the Long March. In the 1930s, the Nationalists and Communists united to fight against the Japanese. After World War II, the Communists forced the Nationalists to flee to Taiwan and renamed the country the People’s Republic of China. 1

A Communist Nation The Great Leap Forward Collective farms were combined into large-scale People’s Communes that contained both farms and industries. Instead of increasing, production fell, as the communes offered no incentive to work hard. Bad weather also hindered production. The Great Leap Forward was abandoned after two years. The Cultural Revolution After the failure of the Great Leap Forward, Mao called for even more drastic measures. The Red Guard was formed to destroy the Four Olds: old ideology, old thought, old habits, old customs. All those who disagreed with Mao were punished. Farm and factory production fell and schools were closed, resulting in an economic disaster for China. Mao Zedong wanted to increase productivity and replace private ownership with common ownership. 1

Modernization and Political Upheaval Deng Xiaoping began the Four Modernizations program, intended to improve agriculture, industry, science, and technology. The contract responsibility system allowed farmers to sell surplus crops, resulting in dramatically increased farm output. The focus of industry changed to light industry, or the manufacture of consumer goods, and a system of rewards was established to increase productivity. Economic growth was uneven, with the coastal cities growing rich but the interior lagging behind. As economic reform continued, some Chinese demanded political freedom. The government responded harshly to the Tiananmen Square protests, killing many demonstrators, and rounding up suspected leaders for execution. 1

Section 1 Review What was the result of the Great Leap Forward? a) Agricultural output vastly increased. b) Industrial output increased modestly. c) Production fell dramatically. d) There was no noticeable result. How did Deng increase agricultural output? a) He completely privatized land ownership. b) He created even larger collective farms. c) He punished farmers who were not producing enough crops. d) He allowed farmers to sell surplus crops. Want to connect to the World Geography link for this section? Click Here! 1

Regions of China In the past, how has China’s Northeast region served as the center of population, industry, and government? Why is the Southeast region of China ideal for agriculture and transportation? In what way did the Silk Road promote development of China’s barren Northwest region? What effect has Communist rule had on China’s Southwest region? 2

The Northeast The Northeast has formed China’s core for centuries, containing the capital Beijing and the greatest concentration of China’s population. The Northeast was the site of one of the world’s original culture hearths, centered on the Huang He. Beijing is a major industrial center, but the Special Economic Zones have been so successful that investment money is going south. The Northeast has an agricultural area made fertile by wind-blown loess from Mongolia and the Gobi Desert. The Huang He serves as a transportation route, but has also created so much destruction through flooding that it is called “China’s Sorrow.” 2

The Southeast The climate and fertile soil of the Southeast allow farmers in some areas to practice double cropping, or growing more than one crop a year on the same land. The Yangzi valley is the location of China’s most productive farmland, and the river serves as an east-west highway connecting the interior with the coast. The government has set up Special Economic Zones in this region to lure foreign investment and technical expertise with low tax rates. Many have migrated to the Southeast to benefit from the economic boom the region is experiencing. 2

The Northwest The Northwest is dry, barren, and rugged. Population in the region is low. The Silk Road crossed Northwest China, and way stations developed around oases along the road. Some way stations eventually developed into towns. In the oasis towns, people live by farming, but nomadic herding is the major economic activity in the region. 2

The Southwest The Plateau of Tibet, the highest region in the world, dominates the Southwest Region. Tibet has a distinctive society based on the Buddhist religion. For most of their history, Tibetans have lived as farmers and herders under the theocratic leader the Dalai Lama. China invaded Tibet in 1950, and the Dalai Lama was driven into exile. After an uprising in 1959, the Chinese government instituted a policy designed to destroy Tibetan culture and later, designated Tibet an autonomous region. Tibetans still hold onto their traditions and culture despite efforts by the Chinese government. 2

Section 2 Review What makes the Southeast attractive to foreign investors? a) The country’s capital is located there. b) The Special Economic Zones offer tax breaks. c) The Southeast is sparsely populated. d) China has designated it an autonomous region. What has contributed to the growth of towns in the Northwest? a) The region is rich in mineral resources. b) Farmland in the region is excellent. c) Garrisons were established in the Northwest to defend the frontier. d) Way stations developed at oases along the Silk Road. Want to connect to the World Geography link for this section? Click Here! 2

China’s People and Culture Through the years, how has China’s Communist government changed its attitudes about population growth? What factors create a common culture throughout China, encouraging unity across the nation? 3

A Huge Population Mao believed that power lay in numbers, so he encouraged the Chinese people to have more children. After finally recognizing the problems of overcrowding, Mao called for a two-child policy. Deng set a one-child goal, offering rewards and fines to encourage people to follow this policy. Propaganda did not convince rural Chinese to follow the policy, because contract responsibility shifted production to family labor. 3

Chinese Culture About 56 ethnic minority groups live in China, but 92 percent of China’s population belong to the Han ethnic group. The written form of Chinese uses ideograms, or pictures representing a thing or idea, and all Chinese students are taught Chinese characters. Daoism is based on the writings of Laozi, who wrote that the path to true happiness lies in living in harmony with the natural world. Confucianism is a philosophy based on the teachings of Confucius, who believed that society functions best if people respect the laws and behave according to their positions in society. China is officially an atheist state, but many people continue to practice their religions. Although Western medicine is practiced in China, many prefer traditional Chinese medicine, which includes the use of herbal remedies, breathing exercises, special diets, and acupuncture. 3

Section 3 Review What result did Mao’s population policy have? a) China’s population remained stable. b) The Chinese population shrank and standards of living rose. c) Urban populations remained stable, but rural populations exploded. d) China’s population exploded, resulting in overcrowding. How does a common system of writing affect Chinese culture? a) People across China can always communicate in writing. b) The Chinese writing system encourages minorities to rebel. c) The writing system has no effect upon Chinese culture. d) The common writing system encourages conformity. Want to connect to the World Geography link for this section? Click Here! 3

China’s Neighbors How did Taiwan become an industrial power in Asia? In what way does Hong Kong’s relationship with China make Hong Kong’s future uncertain? How has the standard of living in Mongolia improved in recent years? 4

Taiwan: A World Apart Chiang Kai-shek fled to Taiwan and set up a temporary provisional government that was repressive but allowed free enterprise to flourish. The Nationalist government in Taipei was recognized as the legitimate government of China until 1971, when mainland China was admitted to the UN and Taiwan was expelled. The Nationalists instituted a sweeping land-reform program to put land in the hands of tenant farmers and encouraged them to modernize their farming practices. The Nationalists also encouraged industrial development, and with the help of foreign investment Taiwan experienced rapid growth. Taiwan has in recent years concentrated on high-technology industries such as electronics, and rapid economic growth has led to a high standard of living. Contact between China and Taiwan was renewed in 1987, but relations between the two remain tense. 4

Hong Kong Returns to China The Growth of Hong Kong In 1898, Britain forced China to agree to lease Hong Kong. Hong Kong’s location and harbor helped the port become a center of trade. Hong Kong also became a center of manufacturing, specializing in textiles and electrical appliances. The exodus of refugees from China provided a vast supply of labor for the factories of Hong Kong. Hong Kong’s trade is estimated at the same value as that of China. The End of the Lease Hong Kong developed with little interference from the mainland. The British lease ended in 1997, and Hong Kong was returned to China. Fears of political repression after the handover have not come to pass. China follows a policy of “one country, two systems” to allow Hong Kong’s economy to flourish. 4

Mongolia Mongolia is a vast, dry land, with desert in the south and steppe in the north. Under Genghiz Khan and his descendants, the Mongols ruled a huge empire, but Mongolia eventually became a Chinese province. Mongolia remained a province of China until 1911, ten years later adopted communism, and then held democratic elections in the early 1990s. Herding still ranks as the major economic activity on Mongolia’s steppes, but the country is also developing some industries. With industrialization, Mongolia has become more urban, with 63 percent of the population living in urban centers. Many Mongolians still live as nomads, but are becoming increasingly connected to the world through modern technology. 4

Section 4 Review Which of the following contributed to Taiwan’s economic success? a) rich natural resources b) strategic location c) vast oil deposits d) foreign investment Which of the following helped Hong Kong become a leader in world trade? a) It has a central location and a deep natural harbor. b) It was already a manufacturing center. c) China invested heavily in Hong Kong. d) Special Economic Zones were established in China. Want to connect to the World Geography link for this section? Click Here! 4

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Chapter 31