Posted inChinese History

The Hundred Days’ Reform (1898): A Brief Attempt at Radical Change – Examine the Short-Lived Reform Movement Led by Emperor Guangxu and Reformist Officials, Aiming to Implement Sweeping Political, Educational, And Social Changes, Exploring the Opposition From Conservative Forces Led by Empress Dowager Cixi and the Eventual Failure and Suppression of the Reforms.

The Hundred Days' Reform (1898): A Brief Attempt at Radical Change - A Lecture (Professor adjusts spectacles, sips lukewarm tea, and smiles wryly at the class) Alright, settle down, settle…
Posted inChinese History

The Treaty of Shimonoseki (1895): Ending the First Sino-Japanese War – Examine the Humiliating Treaty Forced Upon China by Japan, Resulting in the Cession of Taiwan and the Pescadores Islands, Recognition of Korean Independence (Ending Chinese Suzerainty), And Massive Indemnity Payments, Further Eroding Qing Authority and Signaling Japan’s Rise as a Regional Power.

The Treaty of Shimonoseki (1895): A Humiliating End to the Dragon's Slumber & the Rising Sun's Ascendance 🐉➡️☀️ (A Lecture on Imperial Humiliation and the Birth of a Regional Power)…
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The First Sino-Japanese War’s Battle of the Yalu River (1894): A Naval Defeat for China – Examine the Major Naval Engagement of the First Sino-Japanese War, Exploring the Clash Between the Chinese Beiyang Fleet and the Imperial Japanese Navy and How Japan’s Superior Technology and Tactics Led to a Significant Chinese Defeat, Highlighting China’s Lagging Naval Modernization.

The First Sino-Japanese War's Battle of the Yalu River (1894): A Naval Defeat for China – A Lecture (Professor gestures dramatically, adjusting his spectacles) Alright, settle down, settle down, class!…
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The Tongzhi Restoration (1860s-1870s): An Attempt to Revitalize the Qing Dynasty – Examine the Efforts by Qing Officials to Implement Reforms and Restore Order After the Taiping Rebellion and Second Opium War, Focusing on Military Modernization, Restoring the Traditional Order, And Suppressing Other Rebellions, An Attempt to Save the Dynasty From Collapse.

The Tongzhi Restoration (1860s-1870s): An Attempt to Revitalize the Qing Dynasty - A Lecture (Lecture Hall: Dimly lit, portraits of stern-looking Qing Emperors glare down. You, the Professor, burst onto…
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The Convention of Beijing (1860): Ending the Second Opium War and Legalizing Opium – Examine the Treaties Signed After the Second Opium War, Confirming and Expanding the Concessions Made to Foreign Powers, Including the Legalization of the Opium Trade, Which Had Devastating Social and Economic Consequences for China.

The Convention of Beijing (1860): Ending the Second Opium War and Legalizing Opium – A Lecture on Imperial Humiliation and Poppy-Fueled Pandemonium (Professor sniffs dramatically, adjusts spectacles perched precariously on…
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The Second Opium War (1856-1860): Further Humiliation and More Unequal Treaties – Examine the Causes (Arrow Incident), Course (Anglo-French Invasion, Burning of the Old Summer Palace), And Consequences of This Second Conflict, Resulting in More Treaty Ports, Legalization of the Opium Trade, And Increased Foreign Influence in China.

The Second Opium War (1856-1860): Further Humiliation and More Unequal Treaties – A Lecture of Epic (and Slightly Humorous) Proportions (Cue dramatic music and a projection of a Qing Dynasty…
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The Taiping Rebellion’s Capture of Nanjing (1853): Establishing the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom Capital – Examine the Capture of the Southern Capital by Taiping Rebel Forces and Their Establishment of a Rival State, Exploring the Ideology and Governance of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom and Its Challenge to Qing Authority.

The Taiping Rebellion's Capture of Nanjing (1853): Establishing the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom Capital – A Lecture (Professor Qing Shi clears his throat, adjusts his spectacles, and beams at the (hopefully)…
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The Treaty of Nanjing (1842): The First of the Unequal Treaties – Examine the Terms of the Treaty That Ended the First Opium War, Exploring How It Severely Curtailed China’s Sovereignty, Forced Concessions to Britain, And Set A Precedent for Other Western Powers to Demand Similar Privileges, Marking a Turning Point in China’s Relationship with Foreign Powers.

The Treaty of Nanjing (1842): The First of the Unequal Treaties – A Lecture on How China Got Rolled (and Why It Still Matters) (Lecture starts with a dramatic flourish,…
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The First Opium War (1839-1842): China’s Defeat and the Opening of Treaty Ports – Examine the Events of the War, Including Naval Battles and the British Capture of Key Cities, Exploring the Superiority of British Military Technology and the Humiliating Treaty of Nanjing, Which Forced China to Cede Territory (Hong Kong Island), Open Ports to Trade, And Grant Extraterritorial Rights.

The First Opium War (1839-1842): China's Defeat and the Opening of Treaty Ports - A Lecture (Professor Mode Activated. Adjusts spectacles, clears throat with a dramatic flourish.) Alright, settle down,…
Posted inChinese History

The White Lotus Rebellion (1796-1805): A Massive Uprising Challenging Qing Authority – Examine the Causes and Course of This Large-Scale Rebellion Fueled by Religious Beliefs, Social Unrest, And Government Corruption, Exploring Its Widespread Impact and How Its Suppression Further Weakened the Qing Dynasty and Revealed Growing Internal Problems.

The White Lotus Rebellion (1796-1805): A Massive Uprising Challenging Qing Authority – A Qing Dynasty "Oops!" Moment 😬 (Lecture Begins) Alright everyone, settle down, settle down! Today we're diving headfirst…