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Movers and Shakers
Empress Dowager Cixi
(1835-1908)
Empress Dowager Cixi ruled over China for about a half a century. She loved power, even
going so far to remove the Emperor from the throne in 1898. Under her reign, the Qing
Dynasty would suffer great economic losses. One reason was her need for jewelry and good
food.
Zhou Enlai (1898-1976)
Zhou Enlai was one of the most popular leaders in China during the 20th century. Even
among the madness during the Cultural Revolution, he continued to make an effort to pursue
democratic ideas, while at the same time supporting leaders like Mao.
Chiang Kaishek (1887-1975)
Chiang Kaishek, one of China's most famous leaders gained his victories one at a time, and
tended to lose them in the same fashion. He perused a noble cause, making an effort to
ensure China be more modernized. He was the leader of the National Party; the party that
lost the civil war to the Communists.
Maxine Hong Kingston (1940-)
As a female Chinese writer, Maxine Hong Kingston always questioned traditional thought,
and in particular, the role of women in Chinese society. She remains an enduring Chinese
novelist, and her highly feministic overtones continue play a powerful role in bridging
the gaps between old and new Chinese values.
Bruce Lee (1940-1973)
Bruce Lee was the most famous movie star in China, with fans flocking to theaters to see
his movies and skits. He expressed his anger to the racial barrier in his movies. To the
Chinese he was a kind of warrior; one that represented the spirit and vitality of their
country.
Luhsun (1881-1936)
Luhsun is one of the greatest writers in China, and many people have read his literature
around world. Most of his work involves sorrow and suffering, but it represents the
struggle of the people living in China.
Yo-Yo Ma (1955-)
Perhaps Yo-Yo Ma is the most famous musician in the Chinese. This celebrated musician has
been dubbed by many as THE WORLDS FINEST CELLIST. As a fine Cellist, and accomplished
musician, Yo-Yo Ma's career continues to dazzle audiences.
Yuan Shikai (1859-1916)
Yuan Shikai is a leader of the first modernized military in China. He worked his way to
the top, so to speak, and eventually became President of the Republic of China. He wished
however to seize more power, but his efforts would ultimately fail.
Deng Xiaoping (1904-1997)
Deng Xiaoping, one of the most influential persons in modern Chinese history, led China
into a new era of economic stability. Deng Xiaoping took measures completely different
from those of Mao after Mao died. In that sense, he is said to one of China's
"Anti-Revolutionists".
Sun Yat-sen (1866-1925)
Sun Yat-sen was the founding father of the Republic of China. His desire was to overthrow
the Manchu dynasty and modernize China along Western lines. He was also the founder of the
Nationalist Party and headed the revolutionary movement for a short time, before going
back into exile.
P'u Yi (1906-1967)
P'u Yi was the last emperor of China. He was not Chinese, he was member of the Ch'ing
dynasty and therefore a Manchu. He was often used as a puppet and political symbol by
other governments.
Mao Zedong (1893-1976)
It was Mao Zedong who united the confusion in China after years of colonization, war, and
domestic unrest following the Civil War. Not considering his policy of the Cultural
Revolution, he is perhaps one of this centuries greatest politicians, and his reputation
around the world survives to this day--over 20 years after his death.
Lin Zexiu (1785-1850)
Lin Zexiu presided over the affairs conducted in China during the Opium War. He was one of
the first patriots to maintain China's fighting spirit against the UK, and the first
person to aim at the excellence of the Modern Western civilization as a means to improve
China.
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