The foundation of China’s civilization was laid in the first millennium B.C. by the great sages Confucius and Lao-Tze. Confucius taught the virtues of filial loyalty and respect for one’s ancestors. Thus, its civilization is about three thousand years old.
And, except for a brief period when the Mongols held sway, China was untroubled by foreign invasions until modern times.
It was as far back as the Han dynasty (circa 200 B.C.) – after which the Chinese are named - that selection of government officials by public examinations took place. This helped to lay the basis for an efficient administration. Along with gunpowder and paper, this constitutes China’s unique contribution to world civilization! It was also during this period that the Chinese began construction of the Great Wall – intended to keep foreign invaders out of China. The Great Wall runs over hills and valleys, for a distance of over 1,400 miles. China was also noted for its silk, pottery and porcelain; and for its outstanding architecture.
The Chinese regarded all foreigners (except those from the land of the Buddha) as barbarians. But China could not remain isolated from the modern world for long…
China’s refusal to trade with the European Nations led to war in the mid-nineteenth century. The Boxer rebellion was suppressed; but China was changing, and ultimately it was the strength of foreign ideas and ideals that lead to revolution, and the fall of the ruling dynasty in 1911.
Sun Yat-Sen, the founder of the Nationalist Party (the Kuomintang) became the President of the new republic. Much like Gandhi in India, Sun Yat-Sen attempted to add Western ideals to Chinese culture and traditions. But he was a man ahead of his times. His attempt to impose central rule upon China’s provinces led to an uprising by the Chinese war-lords. After the death of Sun Yat-Sen, the nationalist armies lead by Chiang Kai-Shek succeeded in unifying the country.
However, in a bid to emulate the other colonizing powers, Japanese militarists launched an unprovoked aggression on China and occupied vast coastal areas. China was plunged into chaotic circumstances once more. Mao Tse-Tung would have been an unimportant footnote in history had it not been for the unprovoked Japanese invasion.
In order to rally his nation and his people against the brutal invaders, Chiang Kai Shek was forced to seek an alliance with the communists. Mao Tse-Tung took advantage of the weakness of the Chinese government after a decade of uninterrupted warfare, the promise of land redistribution, and of a nation suffering from civil war and famine. The nationalist government was forced from the mainland, and regrouped on the island of Taiwan. However, Chiang Kai-Shek never abandoned hope of freeing his people from despotic communist rule.