Struggles between Communism and the Kuomintang

In Chapter 4, we are starting to read a lot more about the struggles between the Communists and the Kuomintang.

Let's find out as much as we can about these forces. We could visit the Sun Yat-Sen and History Museums again.

Search out what you can. There is some good information with plenty of links here, here and a video covering the period here; it's taken from CCTV, the Chinese television station.

Keep looking out for sources and share them.

A lecture on the Chinese civil war here. The graphics are not very clear but the narrative is straighforward.

The Soviets arrive

In Chapter 4 of Wild Swans, we are told that after the Japanese surrender in Manchukuo, the Soviet Red Army entered this north-eastern area.

Tell me about the events you would expect to happen immediately after any major conflict. What do you think might happen to the borders of a country? Or to the rulers of 'winning' sides? And the rulers of 'losing' sides? To the people who fought and survived the battle?

Incidentally, there is a resource here to locate conflicts through history. You could spend some time exploring this site.

Life under the Japanese

In Chapter 3 of Wild Swans we find out about the Japanese invasion of Manchuria.

We need to visit two museums again! One, the Coastal Defences Museum, and two, the History Museum. Make sure that you visit the galleries explaining the Japanese occupation.

When we are in England, let's visit the Imperial War Museum in London, and look at the history of Japan in the twentieth century.

Kitchen God

In Chapter 2 of Wild Swans we are told about the Kitchen God.

Here's some information on Zao Jun. Can you find out information about other Chinese deities?

Chinese Medicine

Let's visit the Chinese Medicine gallery again!

(I promise next time not to make you walk past the model of the rat dissection.)

What can you recall about the principles and practices of Chinese Medicine? This page might help remind you.

When we walk through Sheung Wan again, peer into the shops. Let's hope none of us falls ill.