5-minute Perspectives on Modern Beijing
May Fourth Movement
On May 4, 1919, Chinese intellectuals marched to the Tiananmen Gate. They were protesting against the handover of the former German concession in Qingdao to Japan, and the act that western liberal powers did not stand up for the Chinese nation, even though China was recognized among the victorious powers of the First World War. This perceived betrayal made many Chinese intellectuals tilt towards another ideology: Communism.
Beijing's First Public Space
In 1913 the first park in Beijing opened. The park was at first called the central park, but later changed its name to Zhongshan park, as it is called today. It is difficult for us to understand how revolutionary that was to Beijing. The capital had never had a central meeting point for all walks of life, but suddenly a breathing space for both men and women had emerged just next to the Forbidden City.
Beyond the Boxers
In the year 1900 Beijing was occupied. Western forces occupied the city and the Imperial government fled. As a consequence a western style modernizaton was forced on the capital. Trains, rickshaws, universities and much more changed the city completely. In his social survey from 1921 Sydney Gamble is constantly referring to the year 1900 as a watershed moment, a line drawn where after the conservative Chinese capital was connected to the outside world.
This Bridge is the Reason Beijing Exists
It is not an exaggeration to say that the crossing where the Marco Polo bridge is today is the very reason that Beijing exists in its present location. The explanation for this is found in geography. The bridge is situated at the narrowest point of the Yongding river making it the natural way to aproach Beijing from the South.
How Does History Define A Beijinger?
We always talk about “old Beijing” as if the city at one point existed in a “pure” version, but Beijing history is one of endless migration in and out of the city so it is quite difficult to define what a “real” Beijinger is!