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HarvardX: Invasions, Rebellions, and the Fall of Imperial China

4.3 stars
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An overview of modern Chinese history, including the fall of the Qing and the end of imperial China.

12 weeks
1–3 hours per week
Self-paced
Progress at your own speed
Free
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Starts Nov 4

About this course

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In the 18th century, the Qing Dynasty is at its height; it is the wealthiest, most powerful,most civilized state on earth. And yet the 19th century brought enormous challenges for the Qing and for the place we call China. By the 20th century, a 2,000-year imperial tradition is gone. What happened?

In this overview of modern Chinese history, you’ll learn about the Qing was forced to engage with the West, the impact of imperialism and dynastic decline, and, ultimately, the causes of the Qing dynasty’s fall. This course will cover the effects of opium, how the Qing responded to that epidemic, and how the opium war brought fundamental changes to the country. You’ll also learn about the introduction of Christianity in this period, and about the ideology of Chinese salvation.

This is a time when intellectuals were wrestling with new western ideas and new western technologies. This course will help you to understand how China engaged with the West, and how this confrontation still resonates today.

At a glance

  • Institution: HarvardX
  • Subject: History
  • Level: Introductory
  • Prerequisites:
    None

What you'll learn

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  • An overview of modern Chinese history.
  • About the Qing’s forced re-encounter and engagement with the West.
  • The impact of imperialism and dynastic decline.
  • What ultimately caused the fall of the Qing dynasty.
  • How intellectuals wrestled with the confrontation of western ideas and technology.
  • The historiography of periodization and how one can define the modern period.

Frequently Asked Questions

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How does my participation contribute to research?
By registering as an online learner in our open online courses, you are also participating in research intended to enhance HarvardX's instructional offerings as well as the quality of learning and related sciences worldwide. In the interest of research, you may be exposed to some variations in the course materials. HarvardX does not use learner data for any purpose beyond the University's stated missions of education and research. For purposes of research, we may share information we collect from online learning activities, including Personally Identifiable Information, with researchers beyond Harvard. However, your Personally Identifiable Information will only be shared as permitted by applicable law, will be limited to what is necessary to perform the research, and will be subject to an agreement to protect the data. We may also share with the public or third parties aggregated information that does not personally identify you. Similarly, any research findings will be reported at the aggregate level and will not expose your personal identity. Please read the edX Privacy Policy for more information regarding the processing, transmission, and use of data collected through the edX platform.

How are non-discrimination and anti-harassment supported?
Harvard University and HarvardX are committed to maintaining a safe and healthy educational and work environment in which no member of the community is excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination or harassment in our program. All members of the HarvardX community are expected to abide by Harvard policies on nondiscrimination, including sexual harassment, and the edX Terms of Service. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact harvardx@harvard.edu and/or report your experience through the edX contact form.

This course is part of History of China: The Modern Era XSeries Program

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Expert instruction
5 high-quality courses
Self-paced
Progress at your own speed
1 year 3 months
1 - 3 hours per week

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