logo
episode-header-image
Sep 2023
58m 38s

366. The Architect of Modern China

Goalhanger
About this episode

“Let us advance courageously, to change the backward condition of our country, and turn it into a modern and powerful socialist state!” Deng Xiaoping, a man purged by Mao and his followers twice before becoming leader of China, paved the way for a modern Chinese state and economy, opening the country up to foreign investment and technology, whilst maintaining firm control of the Chinese Communist Party. In today’s episode, Tom and Dominic are joined by Friend of the Show Professor Rana Mitter, as they look at how China transitioned into the global economic and political powerhouse it is today, Deng Xiaoping’s role in transforming the country, and, of course, Wham! and their 1985 visit…



*The Rest Is History Live Tour 2023*:


Tom and Dominic are back on tour this autumn! See them live in London, New Zealand, and Australia!


Buy your tickets here: restishistorypod.com


Twitter: 


@TheRestHistory


@holland_tom


@dcsandbrook


Producer: Theo Young-Smith


Executive Producers: Jack Davenport + Tony Pastor

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Up next
Jul 9
581. The Irish Civil War: The Killing of Michael Collins (Part 2)
After the assassination of Sir Henry Wilson and the signing of the polarising Anglo-Irish Treaty, how did the bombastic Battle of the Four Courts break out in Dublin? With British guns opening fire on the building, how long did the men of the IRA hold out? What was the outcome of ... Show More
47m 22s
Jul 6
580. The Irish Civil War: The Assassination of Sir Henry Wilson (Part 1)
Who was Sir Henry Wilson, and how was he shockingly murdered in 1922? Who ordered it? What was his attitude to the question of Irish Home Rule? Why has death been compared to the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, whose death triggered the First World War? How did he garn ... Show More
49m 32s
Jul 2
579. The Irish War of Independence: Showdown in London (Part 4)
What were the terms of the Anglo-Irish Treaty, signed in December 1921, following negotiations between the UK and Sinn Féin? How was it received by the Irish people? What was the process by which it was agreed between Lloyd George, Winston Churchill, Michael Collins, and Arthur G ... Show More
1h 7m
Recommended Episodes
Apr 2012
Ep. 80 | Bo Yibo
This week we look at a committed Communist Party leader who played an important role in steering China’s economy and financial system from 1949 to 1966 and during the Deng era. Like many other leaders of his generation, Shanxi-born Bo Yibo suffered terribly during the Cultural Re ... Show More
26m 1s
Jun 2021
June 27, 2021 |On GPS: As China celebrates a century of communism, Fareed talks to an expert panel about what’s next for China. Plus, Malcolm Gladwell is back with a revisionist history perspective on
On Thursday, the Chinese Communist Party will celebrate its 100-year anniversary and Beijing is commemorating with festivities all over the country. Fareed hosts Elizabeth Economy, senior fellow for China studies at the Council for Foreign Relations, Rana Mitter, professor of mod ... Show More
40m 14s
Jan 2023
The World Ahead 2023: China's challenges
As president Xi Jinping begins his third five-year term, China’s path forward is uncertain. Covid-19 is tearing through the country after it relaxed its strict “zero-covid” policies. China also faces slowing economic growth and rising geopolitical tensions with America. Are China ... Show More
26m 31s
Jan 2023
There’s Been a Revolution in How China Is Governed
There are few stories that are more crucial to the world’s future than what’s happening in China. Take any of the most important issues of our time — climate change, geopolitics, the global economy, advanced technologies — and China is at the center of them. American politics its ... Show More
1h 19m
May 2024
Vol 4 Ep 75 - China: Ming Dynasty
1279 - 1644 - We track the downfall of the Mongol Yuan Dynasty of China before reviewing the rise of the Ming Dynasty and how they changed China in a world where long distance trade links were becoming more vital. 
48m 37s
May 2024
Modern China Pt. 3: The Great Leap Forward & Cultural Revolution w/ Ken Hammond
In this episode of Guerrilla History, we get into part 3 of our 4 part miniseries on modern Chinese history featuring Ken Hammond (and guest host Breht O'Shea of Revolutionary Left Radio) with an amazing discussion of The Great Leap Forward and The Cultural Revolution!  If you ha ... Show More
2h 4m
Mar 2023
How China Went From Economic Superstar to Faltering Giant
In just a few years, the narrative on China has almost completely flipped. The dominant sentiments in America had been awe, envy and a kind of fear. China’s growth seemed relentless. Its manufacturing prowess was lapping ours. It weathered the pandemic without the mass death seen ... Show More
1h 20m
Mar 2024
Great Wall of China
It's one of the most iconic structures in the world: The Great Wall of China. But is it just one wall? And who built it and why? Today, Tristan Hughes is joined by William Lindesay OBE to delve into the ancient history of this epic structure and to answer these questions and more ... Show More
55m 19s
May 2024
The Deng Reform Period w/ Ken Hammond (Modern Chinese History Pt. 4)
In this episode of Guerrilla History, we conclude our series on Modern Chinese History with this important, and inevitably controversial discussion of the Deng Reforms and the Reform Period!  Very important that no matter your ideological tendencies, you come into this episode wi ... Show More
1h 47m