China in the 20th Century

Our news media reveal daily that Americans are uneasy about China's emergence as a world power, but how do the Chinese themselves view this phenomenon? Their attitudes can be understood only in the context of the long turbulent struggle of the Chinese people through the 20th century to create a unified, modern and prosperous nation. The length and difficulty of this struggle has aided the Chinese Communist Party's effort to maintain its authoritarian grip on power in an increasingly capitalistic nation. It also helps explain why its continued rule depends on successful management of the economy and its success in fulfilling Chinese nationalistic aspirations. This short course will look at key aspects of the Chinese people's struggle in the 20th century, factors that have prepared China to be a key player on the world stage. Dr. Bruce Reynolds, professor of history and director of the East Asian Regional Materials and Resources Center (EARMARC), teaches East and Southeast Asian History and 20th Century World History at SJSU. He is the author of Thailand and Japan's Southern Advance, 1940-1945 (St Martin's, 1994) and Thailand's Secret War: OSS, SOE and the Free Thai Underground during World War II (Cambridge University Press, 2005), the editor and a contributor to Japan in the Fascist Era (Palgrave-Macmillian, 2004) and the author of several journal articles and book chapters on World War II in Asia. Reynolds has taught many courses for the Osher Institute.