You Say You Want A Revolution

"Well, you know, we all want to change the world..."

The history of China is mostly one of long lasting Imperial Dynasties stretching over two thousand years. The Emperors were involved, of course, in conflict, politics, treachery, intrigue and greed, but for the most part they were a unifying force and provided stability to the country.

The ancient Chinese society was sophisticated and technologically advanced, bringing four great inventions to the world: paper making, gun powder, printing with moveable type, and the compass.

During the later years of the Qing dynasty (1644-1911), China stagnated, particularly miltarily, and foreign and internal pressures lead to rebellion and revolution.

Most of the 20th Century was marked by instability. The Republic of China formed after the fall of the Imperial Dynasty was a period of deep unrest and the growing influence and power of the Communist Party of China. The civil war from 1927 to 1950 was interrupted by World War II and a bitter conflict with Japan, after which the CPC maintained control over most of China.

"But if you go carrying pictures of Chairman Mao, you ain't gonna make it with anyone anyhow..."

In October, 1949, Chairman Mao Zedong declared the founding of the People's Republic of China in Tiananmen Square. Mao remained leader of the PRC until his death in 1976. Both reviled and revered, and at times associated with God-like status, Mao had an enormous impact on modern China.

His "Great Leap Forward" from 1958 to 1960 was an ambitious economic and social plan to rapidly convert Chinese society from one dominated by peasant farmers, into a modern industrial communist society. The plan was a massive failure, and resulted in the starvation of between 14 and 43 million people.

A second attempt at a "Cultural Revolution" was attempted between 1966 and 1976. A power struggle within the Communist Party, it was obstensibly a campaign to rid China of its "liberal bourgeoisie" through the destruction of Old Customs, Old Culture, Old Habits, and Old Ideas.

The Cultural Revolution enabled and mobilized the youth of the nation, who formed legions of "Red Guards", roving the country to preach the teachings of Mao. The Red Guard destroyed museums and temples, books, and art, and anything representing any of the Four Olds.

The revolution is viewed now, historically, by even the Communist Party, as another complete disaster for the nation and its people. Mao's leadership from 1949 through 1976 resulted in millions of deaths, persecutions, and severe restrictions of human rights.

At the same time, it is noted that in 1949, China had an 80% illiteracy rate, and a life expectancy of 35 years, but by the time of his death, the illiteracy rate had fallen to 7%, and life expectancy had risen to more than 70 years. China's population also grew from 400 million to more than 700 million (after having stagnated through much of the early 1900's).

Mao's cult of personality allowed him to present himself as an ally of the peasant, farmer, and worker, and an enemy of the rich and of western influence. He is still admired by many.

Today, millions of people still visit his mausoleum in Tiananmen Square, and his face appears on T-shirts, baseball hats, buttons, and watches. He is everywhere still, and iconic, China's equivalent to Mickey Mouse in America (though Mickey is mighty popular here too, more so than Mao in America, I am sure).

"Don't you know it's gonna be... alright."

While China is still a Communist state, with a dreadful human rights record, and supports regimes like Sudan (responsible for the crisis in Darfur), they have made much progress in becoming more of a "world player".

China quietly mediated between the US and North Korea, helping to convince the Koreans to abandon their nuclear weapons program. China has also created Special Economic Zones that practice western-like capitalism.

China's economy continues to grow at an rapid pace, and the gap between rich and poor continues to widen. They are already a manufacturer giant, and they will be a powerful player on the world stage in the decades to come.

The Chinese people are fiercely proud of their modern nation, and respectful of their Imperial past, but have also been overwhelmingly good hosts at these Olympics - essentially their "coming-out" party - announcing their presence and participation in world affairs, after decades of secrecy.

I wonder what China will be like, internally, and for foreigners, in the year's following these Olympics? I would definitely like to come back and find out.

"Alright!"

This has been a difficult post to put together, trying to cram 100 years of incredibly complex and fascinating Chinese history into one message. There is so much more that cannot be captured in a short synopsis (I can't even be sure that I've accurately portrayed what I think I've learned). If you can, I would urge you to follow some of the links in this message and learn more for yourselves.