The China History Podcast

Kang Sheng 康生 was a sinister character from modern Chinese history who was both Chairman Mao's close confidant and creator of China's Secret Police. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we look at the Tang dynasty Empress Wu Zetian, the only woman from Chinese history to rule China as an emperor in her own name. Chinese names used in this episode: Wu Zetian 武则天 The only empress in China to rule in her own name Wu Zhao 武曌 Wu Zetian's personal name Taiyuan continue reading >> Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week's episode, we give an overview of the First Opium War, one of the most humiliating events in Modern Chinese history. From this event that culminated in the first of many unequal treaties in 1842, China began a steady downhill slide and suffered a multitude of setbacks and insults from foreign powers eager to trade with China and build market share. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Great Leap Forward ( 大跃进) from 1958-1960 caused death and suffering to dozens of millions of people. It sounded like a workable idea but it didn't turn out like Chairman Mao hoped. When looking back on the life of Mao Zedong, the Great Leap Forward is always viewed as a black mark against his legacy. I welcome you to listen to the podcast and learn all about what happens when central planning goes awry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we look at the Four Great Inventions, the 四大发明, that Lord Francis Bacon hailed as having done more than anything else to transform completely the modern world and mark it off from antiquity and the Middle Ages. The four great inventions were the compass, gunpowder, paper, and printing, each important in their own unique way. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices