The China History Podcast

After a record-breaking pause in the action, Laszlo is back with one last episode to finish 2013. This time we look at the interesting and amusing history of Chinese cuisine in America, an oft-requested topic here at the China History Podcast. This is a history that goes hand-in-hand with the earliest Chinese immigration to the US. If you're interested to learn more on the subject, I strongly recommend checking out the work of Andrew Coe and Jennifer Lee. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we take a look at the circumstances and times when the brand spanking new nation of the USA came to a calling to China for the very first time. The so-called "Most Important Relationship in the World" had very humble origins indeed. When representatives of the United States first arrived in Canton in August 1783 they really had a lot of explaining to do about who they were and where they came from. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we look at the Khitan people of the steppes. These people came from the lands between Manchuria and Mongolia. Their most famous son was Yelü Abaoji who took his people to great heights in the early 10th century. His Liao Dynasty in the north of present-day China ran concurrently with the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period (as well as the Song Dynasty) that resulted after the breakup of the Tang Dynasty. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we explore the life and times of Zhuge Liang (181-234 AD). He's a very good example of a well-known name from Chinese history that many have heard of but aren't quite sure why. Zhuge Liang is mostly remembered for his cleverness and many consider him right up there with Sunzi (Sun Tzu) as far as the works of strategy and military science he left behind. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today after a month-long break the China History Podcast is back with another episode. This time we look at the life and times of Sir Y.K. Pao. In telling the story of Sir Yue-kong Pao (Bao Yugang in Mandarin) we can also relive the periods in China and Hong Kong during the 1960s, 70's and into the '80s. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The story of the Chinese Mexicans is typical in some respects. They came to Mexico either because they wanted to and saw it as a land of opportunity or they came because it was the next best thing to emigrating to the United States. Many stayed in Mexico despite great hardships and the usual racism directed against them. But most either moved on to try their luck in the US or they were forced out by racist and nationalistic anti-Chinese immigration policies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this part 4 episode, we conclude our overview of the Chinese Civil War. After the Pingjin Campaign ended in January of 1949 it was time for the Communists to finish off what they started. The victory was imminent but by no means would it be easy and simple. The PLA forces dramatically crossed the Yangzi River in May and their great generals led their forces to a smashing victory, finishing off the KMT forces of Chiang Kai-shek by December 1949. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back to Part 3 of our overview of the Chinese Civil War. The focus this time will be on the Liaoshen, Huaihai, and Pingjin Campaigns that not only grabbed all of north China and Manchuria for the Communists but the heartland and everything north of the Yangzi River as well. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week's episode focuses mainly on the year 1947. The Americans have now left and the NRA and PLA attack each other with all they got. The years start out well for the Nationalists as they pummel the PLA in Manchuria and in the north. But once the summer offensive begins, it's a steady stream of bad news for Chiang. Ultimately with the conclusion of the bloody Siping Campaign that ended in March 1948, Manchuria was lost for good. Chiang would never be able to win it back. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week's episode, we begin a multi-part series covering the Chinese Civil War from 1945 to 1949. In China, this is known as the War of Liberation. In this Part 1, we will look at the background leading up to the war as well as failed attempts by the Americans in 1945-1946 to mediate a peace between Mao's Communists and the Nationalists led by Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices