The Warlord Problem Sun Yixian, the president, abdicates in favor of Yuan Shikai, a powerful general Tried to set up a new Dynasty Military did not support separated the nation When he dies the nation experiences upheaval Warlords took over the provinces Economy collapses

Foreign Imperialism Foreign powers increased their influence over China During WWI, Japan presented China with the Twenty- One Demands Sought to make China a Japanese protectorate China gives in to some of the demands May Fourth Movement Protests erupt May 4, 1919 Goal is to strengthen China

The Appeal of Marxism Some Chinese turn to the ideas of Marx and Lenin The Soviet Union trained Chinese people to become the vanguard (elite leaders) of a Communist Revolution

Struggle for a New China Sun Yixian and his Guomindang (nationalist party) establish a government in South China Planned to raise an army, defeat the warlords, and spread his government’s rule all over China The Soviet Union helps

Jiang Jieshi Leads the Nationalists Sun dies Jiang Jieshi (Chiang Kai-Shek) takes over the Guomindang Determined to end the reign of the warlords and unite China Northern Expedition- Jiang led forces into North China and either crushed or won over the warlords Eventually take Beijing Jiang takes control of the government mid-campaign Jiang attacks the Chinese Communists Soldiers massacre communists

Mao Zedong and the Communists Mao Zedong escapes the attacks Believed Communists should seek support among the peasants as well as the working class Gains support-becomes the head of the Chinese Communist Party

The Long March Mao’s forces make a foray into Jiang’s territory the Guomindang attack Mao’s retreating army in the Long March Mao’s forces use guerilla tactics to fight back The Communists set up a base in remote Northern China- Mao rebuilds forces and plots revenge

Japanese Invasion Japan invades Manchuria (Northeast China) As Japanese aggression increases, the Communists and the Guomindang form a united front against the invaders Second Sino- Japanese war begins Bombs hit Chinese cities Japanese soldiers overrun eastern China Jiang Jieshi moves capital to Chongquing

Japanese Invasion December 13- Japanese trooper march into Nanjing After the surrender, Japanese soldiers kill hundreds of thousands of civilians and soldiers and brutalize even more “Rape of Nanjing” Other countries send aid, the front is held until the end of the war with Japan