Document 4 In 1905, China was ruled by the Qing Dynasty (1636-1912) whose ruling family was from an area in northeastern China called Manchuria. Some Chinese viewed the rulers of the Qing Dynasty as invaders from outside of what they considered “China.” The power of the Qing Dynasty declined in the mid-1800s when they lost a series of wars to European countries and had to sign treaties that gave those European countries legal power and control of trade with China. The excerpt below was written by a group of Chinese students studying in Japan called the Tongmen Hui (Chinese Alliance Association) led by Sun Yat-sen, the revolutionary leader who would later be the first elected president of China. ... Since the beginning of China as a nation, we Chinese have governed our own country despite occasional interruptions. When China was occasionally occupied by a foreign race, our ancestors could always in the end drive these foreigners out, restore the fatherland, and preserve China for future generations of Chinese. Today when we raise the righteous standard of revolt in order to expel an alien race [the Manchus] that has been occupying China, we are doing no more than our ancestors have done or expected us to do. Justice is so much on our side that all Chinese, once familiarizing themselves with our stand, will have no doubt about the righteousness of our cause.... Source: “A Public Declaration,” Tongmen Hui, 1906 In developing your answer to Part II, be sure to keep these explanations in mind: Identify—means to put a name to or to name. Define—means to explain features of a thing or concept so that it can be understood. Argue—means to provide a series of statements that provide evidence and reasons to support a conclusion.

Question

Document 4 In 1905, China was ruled by the Qing Dynasty (1636-1912) whose ruling family was from an area in northeastern China called Manchuria. Some Chinese viewed the rulers of the Qing Dynasty as invaders from outside of what they considered “China.” The power of the Qing Dynasty declined in the mid-1800s when they lost a series of wars to European countries and had to sign treaties that gave those European countries legal power and control of trade with China. The excerpt below was written by a group of Chinese students studying in Japan called the Tongmen Hui (Chinese Alliance Association) led by Sun Yat-sen, the revolutionary leader who would later be the first elected president of China. ... Since the beginning of China as a nation, we Chinese have governed our own country despite occasional interruptions. When China was occasionally occupied by a foreign race, our ancestors could always in the end drive these foreigners out, restore the fatherland, and preserve China for future generations of Chinese. Today when we raise the righteous standard of revolt in order to expel an alien race [the Manchus] that has been occupying China, we are doing no more than our ancestors have done or expected us to do. Justice is so much on our side that all Chinese, once familiarizing themselves with our stand, will have no doubt about the righteousness of our cause.... Source: “A Public Declaration,” Tongmen Hui, 1906 In developing your answer to Part II, be sure to keep these explanations in mind: Identify—means to put a name to or to name. Define—means to explain features of a thing or concept so that it can be understood. Argue—means to provide a series of statements that provide evidence and reasons to support a conclusion.

Answer 1

In this excerpt, the Chinese students from the Tongmen Hui are arguing for the overthrow of the Qing Dynasty and the expulsion of the Manchu rulers from China. They view the Manchus as an alien race who have been occupying China and believe that it is their duty to restore China to the Chinese people.

The students argue that throughout China's history, the Chinese people have always been able to drive out foreign invaders and preserve China for future generations. They cite this historical precedent as justification for their revolt against the Manchus. They state that their cause is righteous and that all Chinese people, once they understand their stance, will have no doubt about the justice of their cause.

The main argument made by the students is that the Manchus do not belong in China and that they have been occupying the country. They believe that it is their duty to expel the foreign rulers and restore China to the Chinese people. By framing their revolt as a continuation of the actions of their ancestors, the students are trying to rally support and convince the Chinese population of the righteousness of their cause.

Overall, the students are arguing for the overthrow of the Qing Dynasty and the expulsion of the Manchus from China. They believe that their cause is just and that it is their duty as Chinese people to restore China to its rightful owners.