Timeline of Modern China Listed in the Item Bank are a number of key events from this field. Some events have more details available when you click on them. Drag and drop the events in chronological order by placing each in its corresponding open rectangle. If there is overlapping, simply trace the dashed line down to the timeline for clarification. ITEM BANK: Move to Bottom "Cultural Revolution" begins "Great Leap Forward" begins Beijing Summer Olympics China begins aid of North Korea in Korean War Deng Xioping becomes Premier Hong Kong turned back over to China Mao's first "Five Year Plan" People's Republic of China established Three Gorges Dam construction starts Tiananmen Square protests 1945 1950 1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030 1949 1950 1953 1958 1966 1978 1989 1994 1997 2008

"Cultural Revolution" begins - 1966

The cultural revolution was launched by Mao Zedong in 1966, with the goal of modernizing China, and correcting the mistakes that were made during the Great Leap Forward only a few years before.

"Great Leap Forward" begins - 1958

The Great Leap Forward was launched by Mao Zedong in 1958. His idea was to transform the economy and society of China, from a traditional agrarian structure, to a communist structure. The plan was a great failure, and lead to a widespread famine that killed at least 30 million people.

Beijing Summer Olympics - 2008

The Beijing Summer Olympics were held in August 2008. The event was very succesful, and China won the medal tally.

China begins aid of North Korea in Korean War - 1950

China began to help North Korea during the Korean War in October of 1950, shortly after a secret meeting between Mao Zedong, and Kim Il-Sung.

Deng Xiaoping becomes Premier - 1978

Deng Xiaoping became the leader of China in 1978, two years after the death of Mao Zedong in 1976. Xiaoping transformed China from a poor, agrarian society, to a modern, industrial nation under the system know as "socialism with Chinese characteristics", which could be defined as state capitalism.

Hong Kong turned back over to China - 1997

At midnight, on June 31, 1997, the United Kingdom gave Hong Kong back to China, after more than 150 years of British rule, under the promise that China would respect Hong Kong's system of free market, and civil liberties.

China Mao's first "Five Year Plan" - 1953

Mao's first five year plan was introduced in 1953. Mao was inspired by the Soviet Union's five year plans, and his goal was to transform China into an advanced industrialized nation just like the Soviet Union did in the previous decades.

People's Republic of China established - 1949

The People's Republic of China was established in 1949 after the communist party defeated the nationalists in mainland China (the nationalists or the Kuomitang fled to Taiwan).

Three Gorges Dam construction starts - 1994

The construction of the Three Gorges Dam began in December, 1994. The dam is the largest in the world, with a capacity of 22,500 MW, and is located in the Hubei province, alongside the Yangtze River.

Tiananmen Square protests - 1989

The height of the protests occurred in June, 1989, when thousands of university students occupide the Tianamen Square, at the heart of Beijing, to demand government reforms.