Best Qing Dynasty Podcasts (2024)

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Ep. 85: Rereading Hong lou meng 紅樓夢 Chapter 40 part 1 1:06:34

12d ago1:06:34

1:06:34

It's Chapter 40 of Dream of the Red Chamber (Story of the Stone, Hongloumeng), and we're accompanying Grannie Liu on her tour of Prospect Garden. In what ways is the garden reflective of, and in dialogue with, Grannie’s Liu’s dreams and desires? What does Grannie Liu accurately perceive on her tour, and where does she project? And what about the “c…

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Living Under Japanese Occupation 29:20

25d ago29:20

29:20

Japan controlled Taiwan as a colony from 1895 to 1945. During the Second Sino-Japanese War, Chinese language education and publications stopped and the Imperial Subject Movement tried to Japanize residents of Taiwan. The Baojia system was helpful in controlling the locals and confiscating grain during the war. The Taiwanese were mobilized to suppor…

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The Brilliance of Chairman Mao 20:02

2M ago20:02

20:02

By the early 1940s, the Communists in Yan’an were feeling relatively secure. The Japanese advance in north China had not reached that area. The Sino-Japanese War and the United Front meant that Chiang Kai-shek’s main concern had been Japan and not the Communist Party. The Nationalist Government in China even funded the Communists in Yan’an. Thousan…

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Ep. 84: Rereading Hong lou meng 紅樓夢 Chapter 39 part 2 51:14

3M ago51:14

51:14

In this episode, we puzzle over Grannie Liu’s arithmetic while questioning how age and social class more broadly inform her interactions with Grandmother Jia. A continuation of our discussion of chapter 39 of Dream of the Red Chamber (Story of the Stone), a classic work of historical Chinese literature. Support the show! https://www.buzzsprout.com/…

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6-9. Paper Son 20:23

3M ago20:23

20:23

Paper Son: Chinese American Citizen. Chinese immigration to America was unique for various reasons. All of this is the subject of my new series. I begin with the historical account of early American naturalization and immigration events, politics, and jurisprudence. From the early years I work through and discuss first the Gold Rush and then the co…

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Hope and the Second United Front in Wuhan 26:11

4M ago26:11

26:11

For ten months in 1938, Hankou in Wuhan was the center of China's Second United Front and defense against the Japanese invasion. Artistic expression, political parties and free speech all blossomed. Neither the KMT nor the Communist Party fully controlled the city and a variety of generals, thinkers and artists came together to defend against Japan…

1
6-8. Angel Island/The Landmark Wong Kim Ark Decision 18:50

4M ago18:50

18:50

Paper Son: Chinese American Citizen. Chinese immigration to America was unique for various reasons. All of this is the subject of my new series. I begin with the historical account of early American naturalization and immigration events, politics, and jurisprudence. From the early years I work through and discuss first the Gold Rush and then the co…

1
6-7. Scott and Geary Acts 19:34

4M ago19:34

19:34

Paper Son: Chinese American Citizen. Chinese immigration to America was unique for various reasons. All of this is the subject of my new series. I begin with the historical account of early American naturalization and immigration events, politics, and jurisprudence. From the early years I work through and discuss first the Gold Rush and then the co…

1
The National Palace Museum Treasures During the Second Sino Japanese War 55:21

4M ago55:21

55:21

The treasures of the National Palace Museum, originally the Forbidden City, followed China's path. They escaped the invading Japanese by leaving Beijing, first for Shanghai, then Nanjing and then followed southern, central and northern routes to Sichuan and safety. The Chinese government followed a similar path, as did countless Chinese individuals…

1
6-6. Canada and Mexico 20:36

5M ago20:36

20:36

Paper Son: Chinese American Citizen. Chinese immigration to America was unique for various reasons. All of this is the subject of my new series. I begin with the historical account of early American naturalization and immigration events, politics, and jurisprudence. From the early years I work through and discuss first the Gold Rush and then the co…

1
Ep. 83: Rereading Hong lou meng 紅樓夢 chapter 39 part 1/2 1:01:31

5M ago1:01:31

1:01:31

We treat the first part of Chapter 39 of Dream of the Red Chamber (Story of the Stone, Hongloumeng), as Li Wan and friends wax philosophical on the importance of having good servants to dissipate loneliness... our discussion turns toward issues of social value, and the paradoxes of hierarchy and intimacy. Support the Show.…

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6-5. Smuggling, Illegal Immigration, and Enforcement 20:40

5M ago20:40

20:40

Paper Son: Chinese American Citizen. Chinese immigration to America was unique for various reasons. All of this is the subject of my new series. I begin with the historical account of early American naturalization and immigration events, politics, and jurisprudence. From the early years I work through and discuss first the Gold Rush and then the co…

1
The Beginning of the Second Sino-Japanese War and the Nanjing Massacre 25:23

5M ago25:23

25:23

On July 7, 1937, the Second Sino-Japanese War and World War II began with the Marco Polo Bridge Incident. It is also known as the Lugou Bridge Incident. Within days of the small skirmish with 100 Chinese garrison troops, the Japanese had brought in 180,000 troops. After that, the fighting between the Chinese and the Japanese did not stop until 1945…

1
Chiang Kai Shek is Kidnapped 16:23

6M ago16:23

16:23

After the Long March, the Chinese Communists were mostly in northern Shaanxi, wanting a breather. Japan had continued its aggression in China after it set up the puppet state of Manchukuo under Emperor Pu Yi. It manufactured incident after incident and had expanded its army’s reach into northern and northeast China. It was trying to influence Inner…

1
6-4. Chinese Exclusion Act 18:54

6M ago18:54

18:54

Paper Son: Chinese American Citizen. Chinese immigration to America was unique for various reasons. All of this is the subject of my new series. I begin with the historical account of early American naturalization and immigration events, politics, and jurisprudence. From the early years I work through and discuss first the Gold Rush and then the co…

1
The Long March 41:44

6M ago41:44

41:44

Zhou Enlai planned in secret the details of the Chinese Communist's escape from the encirclement of the Central Soviet. He identified a Guangdong warlord who preferred to save his troops rather than fight the Red Army. The First Red Army was able to pass through a number of blockhouses, before reaching the last of Chiang Kai-shek's fortifications n…

1
6-3. Burlingame Treaty and Anti-Chinese Fervor 20:08

6M ago20:08

20:08

Chinese immigration to America was unique for various reasons. All of this is the subject of my new series. I begin with the historical account of early American naturalization and immigration events, politics, and jurisprudence. From the early years I work through and discuss first the Gold Rush and then the construction of the intercontinental ra…

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Ep. 82: Rereading Hong lou meng 紅樓夢 Chapter 38 part 4 1:06:58

6M ago1:06:58

1:06:58

The end (or is it beginning?) of our Chapter 38 review! (This was originally intended to be the first episode we’d release, but it was the last to be recorded, and we forgot to rearrange them.) The final part of our foray into this dense and rich chapter of Dream of the Red Chamber (Story of the Stone). Support the Show.…

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Encircling the Chinese Soviet Republic 23:35

6M ago23:35

23:35

Mao Zedong had been chosen as President of the Chinese Soviet Republic, but he never controlled its Red Army. Wang Ming and the 28 Bolsheviks had more control, including over land policy and preparations to defend against the Fifth Encirclement Campaign. On land, the Communist Party of China officials didn't want land redistribution to result in a …

1
6-2. Gold Rush and the Pacific Railroad Act 21:03

7M ago21:03

21:03

Paper Son: Chinese American Citizen. Chinese immigration to America was unique for various reasons. All of this is the subject of my new series. I begin with the historical account of early American naturalization and immigration events, politics, and jurisprudence. From the early years I work through and discuss first the Gold Rush and then the co…

1
Japan Attacks Manchuria and Shanghai 22:37

7M ago22:37

22:37

In September 1931, junior officer's of Japan's Kwantung Army in Manchuria set off explosives to make it look like a Chinese attack on Japanese interests along the South Manchuria Railway. This is often called the Mukden Incident or named after the nearby Liutiao Lake. The Kwantung Army then attacked Zhang Xueliang's nearby garrison and, with Japane…

1
Conflict Among the Communists 41:26

7M ago41:26

41:26

Mao had long desired revolution to peace. Even as a student, he wrote of his desire for the destruction of the old universe. Thanks to his teacher Yang Changji, he met early leaders of the Communist Party, got a job as a junior librarian in Beijing and met his second wife. Yang Kaihui fell deeply in love with Mao and stayed loyal to him, even after…

1
6-1. Early American Naturalization and Immigration History 21:32

7M ago21:32

21:32

Paper Son: Chinese American Citizen. Chinese immigration to America was unique for various reasons. All of this is the subject of my new series. I begin with the historical account of early American naturalization and immigration events, politics, and jurisprudence. From the early years I work through and discuss first the Gold Rush and then the co…

1
Chiang Kai-shek's Strong-Arm Tactics 33:14

7M ago33:14

33:14

Chiang Kai-shek used strong-armed tactics to fundraise for his army and government. Kidnapping, ransoms and execution were part of his tactics. He allied with the Green Gang of Shanghai, as did the French authorities. Shanghai businessmen were kidnapped and held for ransom unless they bought Nanjing's bonds during the Northern Expedition. T.V. Soon…

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The People's Liberation Army is Founded 23:06

8M ago23:06

23:06

After the Northern Expedition, the Guomindang (KMT) ejected Communists from the Nationalist Party. The Communist Party of China had no army. Zhou Enlai had inserted Communists into the Nationalists' Army and the Nanchang Uprising was a coup planned to carve a Red Army out from the Guomindang's troops. It succeeded and they briefly formed a Revoluti…

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The War of the Central Plains 24:17

8M ago24:17

24:17

Chiang Kai-shek (Jiang Jieshi) wanted to shrink the Chinese armies following the Northern Expedition. However, the warlords wouldn't agree without a fight. The result was the War of the Central Plains when Chiang defeated the warlords who had helped him win the Northern Expedition. One by one and then as a group they resisted his efforts to assert …

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The Fallout from the Northern Expedition 22:58

8M ago22:58

22:58

Zhang Zuolin paid for his defeat by the Northern Expedition with his life. Japan assassinated their former Manchurian ally by detonating a bomb as his train passed. Manchuria was becoming chaotic as refugees arrived fleeing battles and famine in Shandong. Other former warlords also died as family members of their victims took revenge. The Nationali…

1
The Northern Expedition 35:49

8M ago35:49

35:49

The Nationalists' Northern Expedition began with doubts by their Communist allies. But it was a military success and quickly Henan and then Hebei provinces were captured. Mikhail Borodin then wanted the armies to move north along the Hankou-Beijing railway line. Instead, Chiang Kai-shek (Jiang Jieshi) preferred to follow the Yangzi River downstream…

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The Chinese Situation At The Beginning Of The Nationalists’ Northern Expedition 17:40

9M ago17:40

17:40

In the lead up to Chiang Kai-shek's Northern Expedition, both the KMT's Hu Hanmin and the Christian General Feng Yuxiang were in Moscow. Hu sought admission by the KMT to the Comintern as China's representative. Feng was seeking weapons and engineers for his National People's Army. Both returned deeply skeptical about the Soviet Union and its inten…

1
Succession Battles in the KMT 16:26

9M ago16:26

16:26

Two funerals were held for Sun Yat-sen on the same day. One involved Christian rites by his family, to prove that Sun was not a Bolshevik. The other was organized by the Communist Party and involved the Soviet Ambassador and a loudspeaker playing Sun's message about nationalism. Already there was a fight to claim Sun's legacy. Sun's widow, Song Qin…

1
Organizing 21:33

9M ago21:33

21:33

The Communist Party of China and the KMT both needed organizing. The KMT and Sun Yat-sen were overly reliant on southern warlords. When they turned on Sun, that made the KMT homeless and risked the life of Sun and those close to him, like his wife Song Qingling. She suffered a miscarriage when Chen Jiongming attacked their house in Guangzhou. Never…

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Episode 81: Rereading Hong lou meng 紅樓夢 Chapter 38 part 3 44:12

9M ago44:12

44:12

The Chapter 38 poetry review continues! No poetic stone left unturned! Support the Show.By Kevin Wilson, William Jones

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China and Asia in 1921 18:50

9M ago18:50

18:50

A detailed look at China's internal divisions and its neighbours in 1921 when its Communist Party was founded. Please share your advice and make the podcast even better here ! Image; Map of China and Asia in 1921 Created for the Chinese Revolution Podcast and Chinese Revolution YouTube series. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informa…

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How to Grow the New Communist Party of China? 16:48

10M ago16:48

16:48

The new Communist Party of China faced decisions on how to grow. Henk Sneevliet, representative of the Communist International (Comintern) to the Far East recommended allying with Sun Yat-sen and the KMT and forming a United Front. Communist Party members could join the KMT as individuals while the Communist Party criticized it and organized the wo…

1
Atheism in China 33:33

10M ago33:33

33:33

A discussion with Anthony Vernon about atheism in China, both before and since Communism. The distinction between Chinese and foreign religions is featured, as well as how the Chinese Communist Party has changed its policies towards religions over time. Image: "Karl Marx, painted portrait _DDC2742" by Abode of Chaos is licensed under CC BY 2.0 Plea…

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Ep. 80: Rereading Hong lou meng 紅樓夢 Chapter 38 part 2 57:48

10M ago57:48

57:48

The Chapter 38 poetry review of Hong lou meng (Dream of the Red Chamber, Story of the Stone) continues! Note: as indicated in the episode, some “creative” post-production editing was performed in order to improve upon and to correct elements of our original commentary. Also note: The Greek painter whose name escapes Kevin in the episode is Parrhasi…

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Episode 40 - The Founding of the Communist Party of China 17:49

10M ago17:49

17:49

Students were the first Chinese to pay attention to the Russian Revolution and the new Communist government there. The Communist International (or Comintern) founded in 1919, also actively promoted and sponsored revolution abroad. Gregory Voitinsky arrived in 1920 as part of the Soviet efforts in China. Chinese students in France (like Zhou Enlai) …

1
Sun Yat-sen's Three Principles of the People 14:18

10M ago14:18

14:18

Sun Yat-sen's Three Principles of the People inspired the KMT party and were implemented after his death in 1925. They also facilitated cooperation between the KMT and the Communist Party of China during the periods of a United Front. This episode discusses those Three Principles as a prelude to a look at the founding of the Chinese Communist Party…

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Update- End of August 2023 1:51

10M ago1:51

1:51

This podcast update looks forward to the beginning of the Chinese Communist Party, its United Front with the KMT, then the death of Sun Yat-sen, who is followed by Chiang Kai-shek. You’ll hear stories of the KMT’s successful Northern Expedition before turning its knives on the Communists and the beginning of the fighting between those two sides. Th…

1
Zhang Zuolin, the Manchurian Warlord 19:07

10M ago19:07

19:07

Zhang Zuolin, the Manchurian Warlord, was a streetfighter known as the Pimple who went from waiter to leader of China's north. He climbed from bandit, to soldier and then formed bonds with Japan, Qing officials and then Yuan Shikai. Step by step he grew his power first in Fengtian province, then all three Manchurian provinces and then virtually all…

1
Chinese Warlord Economics 8:45

10M ago8:45

8:45

A look at taxes, inflation, bandits, offshore funds and roving armies during China's Warlord Period. Image: "1920s Chinese coins" by renaissancechambara is licensed under CC BY 2.0. Please share your advice and make the podcast even better here . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

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Bosses and Bandits 19:11

10M ago19:11

19:11

A southern Chinese government is set up in Guangzhou. Sun Yat-sen is named Generalissimo. The First Fleet joins with 9 warships. The Anfu Clique wants to attack the south and fails to defeat rebels in Hunan. Then Wu Peifu is sent south and makes progress, but stops his advance and criticizes Duan Qirui for siding with Japan against his fellow Chine…

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Wellington Koo, the Versailles Treaty and the May Fourth Movement 14:51

11M ago14:51

14:51

The Chinese had high hopes for the negotiations in Versailles after the end of the First World War. Wellington Koo argued the Chinese case ably. China wanted to retake control of its Shandong Province, but instead Japan continued to control it because of agreements signed during the war. Then it became clear that Duan Qirui and his Anhui Clique had…

1
China and the World War 15:31

11M ago15:31

15:31

The KMT had been active opposing Yuan Shikai and his monarchy project. It had strong support among overseas Chinese. After Yuan Shikai's death, Li Yuanhong became President and Duan Qirui became Premier. KMT hopes for an effective republic quickly faded. Li and Duan disagreed about whether China should enter the First World War. Li, his Vice-Presid…

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Episode 34- Women Revolutionaries 13:17

11M ago13:17

13:17

Chinese feminists and revolutionaries were active before and during China's 1911 Revolution. Qiu Jin wore men's clothing, was ahead of her time by writing in Standard Chinese instead of Classical Chinese and in making speeches to engage all ages in the struggle for women's rights and women's education. These women believed that women had to seek th…

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Bonus episode: The key to running a country is to first enrich the people 4:48

11M ago4:48

4:48

In the traditional Chinese philosophy of governance, the people are considered the foundation of the country. Only when the people prosper can the country prosper. This is classic Chinese wisdom and has become part of the governance philosophy of the Chinese government in modern times. Miyun, a northeastern suburb of Beijing, has over 300 years of …

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Bonus episode: As long as the fundamental principles are upheld, all work will fall into place 5:17

11M ago5:17

5:17

This saying captures the logic behind China's political system today and explains why the country can accomplish megaprojects like the South-to-North Water Diversion Project. In this bonus episode, CGTN host Liu Xin and former Belgian Ambassador to China Patrick Nijs visit the middle route of the project and meet Liang Yu, secretary of the Party co…

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Episode 33- The National Thief 28:25

11M ago28:25

28:25

Yuan Shikai consolidates power as President of the Republic of China. His greatest threats now come from outside China. Russia eyes Mongolia and Britain takes interest in Tibet. The First World War changes the dynamic and Japan seizes Germany's concessions in Shandong. Then Japan issues Twenty-One Demands on China. Yuan negotiates and softens the b…

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Episode 79: Rereading Hong lou meng Chapter 紅樓夢 Chapter 38 part 1 1:23:06

11M ago1:23:06

1:23:06

After a brief but productive hiatus, in which considerable Hong lou meng’ing was happening “behind the scenes,” Rereading returns, with a poetry-pilled perusal of Chapter 38! This is the first part of our exploration of this chapter. Support the Show.By Kevin Wilson, William Jones

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Episode 32 - The First Years of the Republic of China 15:38

12M ago15:38

15:38

Yuan Shikai promised to respect China's constitutional republic. A mutiny by unpaid members of the Beiyang Army causes riots in Beijing and other cities. Yuan avoids moving to Nanjing. He de-mobilizes provincial troops and wins a power struggle with the Chinese Premiers. Yuan Shikai puts his own men in important positions. The Guomindang (KMT) is f…

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