Rise of China - Last of the Qing - Patreon early access
Added 2024-12-20 20:15:48 +0000 UTCDear Patrons,
I'm delighted to share the world premiere of Rise of China - Part 1!
This is the beginning of the epic tale of China's resurgence from 'a century of humiliation', through revolution, occupation, civil wars and Communist rule, to finally reclaim its place as one of the most powerful states on earth.
China's history is large and it is epic, and a lot of work has gone into this series, all possible thanks to your support. Thanks also to our series consultant Dr Lily Chang of University College London (Harry's old tutor), and to Taylor Bradford for help with pronunciation (any errors that remain are our own!)
Typos for Merch is in effect, please let us know in the comments if you spot something.
I hope you enjoy the video, thank you for your amazing support, and have a great weekend!
Toby
Comments
Thanks Atticat! So many things we would love to include, but we have to mark hard decisions to keep the story moving.. Don't forget this is only really background to the main topic. Maybe we'll come back and do 19th China properly later on..
Epic History
2025-01-08 08:43:14 +0000 UTCGreat video. My only criticism - I think the Taiping rebellion should have been given a small amount of context, explaining that it was led by a religious revolutionary whom believed he was the brother of Jesus Christ on a mission to destroy demonic evil and the civil service test system.
Atticat
2025-01-07 22:11:12 +0000 UTCThanks Kevin, interesting to hear your thoughts. It's always a bit of a balancing act - we do want to do justice to the detail and complexity, in language as with all aspects, but we also need to avoid overloading the audience with information. I will consider your suggestion though.
Epic History
2025-01-07 11:08:14 +0000 UTCThank you Ray - very kind to say!
Epic History
2025-01-07 10:48:49 +0000 UTCThanks for considering my point! Again, this is a fantastic video and thank you guys for the great work as always. I could see this becoming the definitive 1910-1949 Chinese history documentary on the whole YouTube if not globally. To my knowledge, there's nothing quite as well-researched or comprehensive even on Chinese/Taiwanese/Cantonese platforms. Bravo!
Ray Li
2025-01-07 08:33:49 +0000 UTCThank you Oddvar!
Epic History
2025-01-06 17:54:07 +0000 UTCLove your content, brilliant as always!
Oddvar Strand
2025-01-06 14:48:07 +0000 UTCZhong guo was also terrible 😂
Zer Ken
2025-01-05 09:48:34 +0000 UTCI was thinking on this - I recall some video presenters used this idea of English user recognizability as a reason to not say the endonym of Native Americans like Little Turtle or Iroquois. But the presentation of history is not just for Anglo peoples anymore, it’s for the people that are the subject of discussion, which is why as a respect and ability to find more local primary sources for the Native Americans, there is a push to atleast mention the endonyms as part of the video, which you do well for the Wabash videos(eg Mihšihkinaahkwa aka Little Turtle) I think you can do that for the Chinese people here, like people on the mainland or people touring the mainland might not know that Chiang Kai Shek is Jiang Jieshi, or that older western newspapers called Mao ZeDong Mao Tse Tsung. An aka in later videos might help atleast tell people that you understand there is variations, even if you can’t spend the time to get into too much(which would be a whole video of itself, the dramatic vote deciding whether mandarin or Cantonese should be the language of the country!)
Kevin Xu
2025-01-04 22:43:39 +0000 UTCThank you! We'll make that change to the quote. Yes, the script is researched from English sources, so we use the original Chinese version where we can find it, otherwise we have to translate it back.
Epic History
2025-01-04 13:17:48 +0000 UTCThe only pronunciation issue that's major is at 11:31 where you pronounce Hubei province as Hebei province, which is the modern day version of Zhili province (ex Beijing, which is an independent province now)
Ray Li
2025-01-03 20:33:39 +0000 UTCI'm a big fan of the channel for a long time and first time commenting here. It's a fantastic video. Pronunciation could be a bit funky but it's honestly not that big of a deal. What I find more confusing is the quote at the beginning of each chapter. Did you find the English source and translated them back to Chinese? Because most likely the original quote wasn't like that. For example, at 18:10, Mao Zedong's original quote was "吾人甚盼望其毁，盖毁旧宇宙而得新宇宙，岂不愈于旧宇宙耶!" which is much more poetic and authentic, and also much easier to understand than the current version (which isn't how modern Chinese/Cantonese/Taiwanese talk either)
Ray Li
2025-01-03 20:31:15 +0000 UTCTimestamp is 11:31. Hebei is modern day Zhili province, so it could be a bit confusing with the way it's pronounced
Ray Li
2025-01-03 20:29:06 +0000 UTCBy all means take a few more days off first and enjoy yourselves
Stuart Carver
2024-12-26 11:10:59 +0000 UTCThanks Raymond, glad you enjoyed the video! Regarding names and pronunciations - I am sure we are using a mix, as there are accepted Anglicisations and historical names for various places, most obviously Peking/Beijing. Where Anglicisations exist, we use them, because after all this is an English language video, and we want to use terms that are most recognisable to an English-speaking audience. Sometimes that means using a Cantonese pronunciation, eg Chiang Kai-shek. Wherever we are using unfamiliar names, we will do our best to pronounce them accurately, according to expert guidance.. We'll revisit some of the pronunciations in this draft of the video before the YT release.
Epic History
2024-12-26 10:52:41 +0000 UTCThanks Stuart, we'll look into these.
Epic History
2024-12-26 10:36:49 +0000 UTCThanks Nelson! Any inconsistent spellings are an unintentional error which we will fix - we will scour the video, but please let me know timecodes if you remember any!
Epic History
2024-12-26 10:27:12 +0000 UTCThanks - although this video is really the introduction to the series, which is about the rise of China in the 20th century, so we didn't want to get too sidetracked into the fall of the Qing dynasty!
Epic History
2024-12-26 10:25:59 +0000 UTCI liked this video but I thought it would've been good to discuss Empress Dowager Cixi in a little more detail at the start and explain the extent to which she controlled China's government for 50 years until her death.
DishonorableKnight
2024-12-26 05:04:44 +0000 UTCAmazing videos as always! As many other mentioned, some of the pronunciations could be improved. One of the bigger mispronunciations was pronouncing Hubei as Hebei, which is a different province One thing I found slightly confusing is the switching between different English spelling of Chinese names and cities but nonetheless you touched on all the major turning points in modern Chinese history
Nelson Tang
2024-12-25 19:54:40 +0000 UTCAt 10.40 would it not be better to say ‘nearly’ 50 year reign? Also at 12.50 to me it looks as if 16 of 26 provinces have succeeded not 22 just by counting what’s on the screen? Also I know the number of provinces changed many times throughout the 20th century so will this be reflected in the series?
Stuart Carver
2024-12-25 08:24:02 +0000 UTCGreat video as always! I definitely admire the entire epic history tv team efforts in tackling a topic that is extremely difficult from a western perspective. With the pronunciations, Kevin and Eric already gave their input so I don’t I could add any extra advice to what they have already said. Though I am curious, when you were consulted on the pronunciations, were you told the Wade-Giles pronunciation or the modern Hanyu Pinyin? Because based on the cities name on the map, you want to go for Wade-Giles romanization which makes sense to me since Hanyu Pinyin wasn’t officially adopted in mainland China until 1958. Even today if you look at the name of cities in mainland China vs in Taiwan, you can see the difference in how the city names are romanized since Taiwan kept the Wade-Giles system. I would love to help, but I mainly learned the Cantonese dialect, the main dialect for southern China so my pronunciations would be 100% different for what I imagine you’re aiming for.
Raymond Chiu
2024-12-24 20:17:16 +0000 UTCI’m actually not sure, there’s two things that come to mind: 1) wade giles versus pinyin. They’re based off of different dialects of Chinese, so the wades Giles would be Chiang Kai Shek and Mao Tse Tung. The pinyin would be Jiang Jieshi and Mao ZeDong 2) the pronunciation is a bit off? It’s not as egregious as the other ones so I personally let it pass. Mao - I hear the hard “ow” at the end like it’s Portuguese. The proper pronunciation is a bit softer but hard to describe in text. It sounds similar to 猫/cat, a softer “o” ZeDong - the first syllable had a bit of the “ay” at the end when it should be Z-uh. The Dong doesn’t rhyme with Bong, it rhymes Phone, so a softer o But again, it’s a bit more advanced and wasn’t too egregious, but just throwing some ideas about what Eric might mean
Kevin Xu
2024-12-24 14:20:19 +0000 UTCHaha cool. Yeah it’s just a preferential thing thought there’s no harm in mentioning it feel like I’ve demonstrated how much I enjoy your work that I hope you won’t take an offence. Ah that’s a shame oh well just a thought. Seriously love the video though feels like a whole new area to get a “healthy” obsession about 🫡
Stuart Carver
2024-12-23 16:00:17 +0000 UTCThanks Victor!
Epic History
2024-12-23 14:23:20 +0000 UTCThank you John!
Epic History
2024-12-23 14:22:50 +0000 UTCThanks Andrei!
Epic History
2024-12-23 14:22:35 +0000 UTCThank you!
Epic History
2024-12-23 14:22:11 +0000 UTCThanks Stuart, we'll get that date fixed. I really like the gun scene, but I'll look out for other comments about it, so far you're the only one. Can't move that map further north unfortunately.
Epic History
2024-12-23 14:22:03 +0000 UTCHappy to help! Also more than happy to assist further if needed
The CIA
2024-12-23 14:10:55 +0000 UTCThank you, great to hear!
Epic History
2024-12-23 14:07:10 +0000 UTCThanks! We're going to have another go at some of the pronunciations.
Epic History
2024-12-23 14:06:55 +0000 UTCOur aim is to produce a 5 part series that serves as an introduction to 20th century Chinese history - so we've got to move fast! Yuan's brief, abortive reign as emperor is one of many interesting details that didn't make the cut.
Epic History
2024-12-23 14:05:18 +0000 UTCWhat do you mean by English pronunciation? The version used in the video is the mandarin version without tones.
Taylor Bradford
2024-12-23 13:43:20 +0000 UTCAppreciate the shout out!
Kevin Xu
2024-12-23 13:00:53 +0000 UTCWhy wasn’t Yuan Shikai’s brief proclamation of emperorship mentioned?
Rebellican
2024-12-22 21:19:11 +0000 UTCThis is absolutely awesome. This period was a unknown to me. Thank you du much, well done
Frank Gärtner
2024-12-22 19:41:52 +0000 UTCEast Asia is my favourite area of history next to Europe, so I am so over the moon this channel is covering it!
Eli Khanam
2024-12-22 18:04:13 +0000 UTCHey! great video! But as a Chinese native speaker I share similar gripes as Kevin and Eric about certain pronunciation. The issue I think is primarily syllables. For example, 中国 is a syllable each per character. the pronunciation in the video, although tonally ok, is done with effectively 4 syllables. Because of that it just sounds abit off. I think it goes for all patrons, but for me, I'd be happy to help further
The CIA
2024-12-22 16:59:00 +0000 UTCSo excited for this series! Chinese history is incredible. Thank you for the video
Mango
2024-12-22 15:54:42 +0000 UTCThis is amazing seriously I was worried that topics like these which arent as well known as European events would be left out by you guys when I first started watching you but this is just simply amazing thank you to every person that has contributed to this
The Imperialist
2024-12-22 13:24:24 +0000 UTCSong Jiaoren‘s assassination was 20th March 1913 not 30th March 1912 I think? Not sure how people feel about the gun effect but personally it feels a little AI esq and tonally very different to the rest of the video. Not a mistake but at 4.47 would you consider moving the screen up so we can actually see the northern part of china fully up to the border before Russian annexation? Atleast I won’t be badgering you about the pronounciations, I can’t I’m clueless 😂
Stuart Carver
2024-12-22 13:20:28 +0000 UTCi learned so much in this video. china has gone through so much i hope its future is bright
ethan brown
2024-12-22 09:43:15 +0000 UTCAs a Chinese American, this is excellent work! Keep it up
Master Oogway
2024-12-22 03:48:16 +0000 UTCSuperb work, I am so glad you picked up on China for your next series. Do take on Kevin Xu's advice with the pronounciations, especially for part 2!
Andrei Mihut
2024-12-21 17:00:00 +0000 UTCThe longer the better. Hopefully one day you might go forther back to ancient china up to this point with the 2 series dovetailing. Ah ok I have heard it referenced many time but wasn’t sure how concrete a historical period it was. At 8.55 shouldn’t you say Empress rather than emperor as that’s who’s in power at that point?
Stuart Carver
2024-12-21 15:56:16 +0000 UTCIt’s definitely inevitable for a language to deviate across a continent like Chinese is! The various dialects and which ones are considered official is a story in of itself of modern China. Same with the change from wades giles to pinyin
Kevin Xu
2024-12-21 15:32:06 +0000 UTCThanks for the feedback Kevin. We've got time to do a few fixes before the YouTube launch, so we'll look again at the ones getting the most comments!
Epic History
2024-12-21 15:29:03 +0000 UTCThanks Stuart! 5 episodes currently planned, although it may become 6 as there's so much to talk about with Mao... From my understanding, 'Century of Humiliation' is more of a rhetorical phrase, than something to be taken as a literal hundred year period. We use it in that sense. I may make that clearer by putting it in inverted commas..
Epic History
2024-12-21 15:27:19 +0000 UTCThanks for the feedback Eric. We're getting a variety of responses to the Chinese pronunciation - we will make some changes and do our best, but it may be a question of not being able to please everyone! As with any language, it seems there is more than one way to acceptably pronounce various names and phrases.
Epic History
2024-12-21 15:22:07 +0000 UTCAfter watching the first episode twice the beauty knowledge artwork & score! Beyond excited for more episodes!!!!! & The fact You released this early makes it in away a Christmas gift 💚 Thank You. Thanks foreverything Toby & Team. Sincerest regard Lord John💚🤓
John Fekete
2024-12-21 13:52:40 +0000 UTCReally enjoying the video! One thing about the maps - I felt the red on red (Boxers and Taiping rebellions) clashed with the main map. But nevertheless great video!
noctorious
2024-12-21 10:41:10 +0000 UTCThis channel is just amazing, but I can never envision it without this narrator. It is all so beautiful.
Ibrahim Fatrouni
2024-12-21 06:45:39 +0000 UTCHaha its our different dialects coming out, just goes to show how diverse Chinese culture can be.
Eric Hu
2024-12-21 06:06:45 +0000 UTCThis channel never fails to amaze me. I am incredibly proud of what you have accomplished. Cheers, to a passing year filled with incredible works. Cheers, to a new year, with much more to come 🍻
Victor Deleon
2024-12-21 06:00:36 +0000 UTCOmg!!!! This is awesome!!!!!
John Fekete
2024-12-21 04:06:55 +0000 UTCInteresting! I though 中国was ok compared to 天下 and 湖北, atleast from my northern mandarin I can see how the former could be pronounced that way the first time while the latter ones seemed a bit off Also wondering what you thought of the variation of wades giles versus pinyin usage, such as using Mao Zedong but also Chiang Kai Shek at the same time For me it seemed that they could’ve spent the time to explain it a bit or use AKAs. My wife believes the mismatch was used for ease of western audiences
Kevin Xu
2024-12-21 03:30:08 +0000 UTCGreat work as always though :)
Eric Hu
2024-12-21 03:20:23 +0000 UTCYou guys also use the English pronunciation of Mao Zedong which is fine but is a decision to do so over the Chinese pronunciation. Colloquially known more as the English pronunciation, would be cool to include the actual.
Eric Hu
2024-12-21 03:13:15 +0000 UTCI think the pronunciation should be examined again! Its not terrible I think it can definitely be better. The 中国 was definitely got a double take from me. 天下 wasn't too bad. Hubei also got a double take. I think you guys should reexamine most of the Chinese terms. Chen DuXiu also was pretty bad.
Eric Hu
2024-12-21 03:10:22 +0000 UTCAmazing as always, hell even better than what we've seen before. I loved the quote transitions to English and the Oriental Music to accompany the video, you guys have really outdone yourselves this time! Looking forward for Part 2 <3
Taha Addam
2024-12-21 02:11:51 +0000 UTCRight it’s not too far off especially if it’s a first read through, same with most of the others, I think 天下 and 湖北 were definitely the ones a bit left field There’s also the whole wade giles vs pinyin interchanging but that can be a whole video by itself
Kevin Xu
2024-12-21 01:50:02 +0000 UTCIt's a titch off. He's got Guo correct but saying Zhuong instead of Zhong. Sounds like 'Joan' with an -ong on the end.
Taylor Bradford
2024-12-21 01:47:36 +0000 UTCGood catch. That was a miss on my end.
Taylor Bradford
2024-12-21 01:44:20 +0000 UTCBravo! Can't wait for the rest of the series. Great stuff.
Discorules
2024-12-21 00:48:25 +0000 UTCA series on Japan from the Heian Period to the Modern era would be 🔥
Ahran Ghani Majid
2024-12-21 00:39:16 +0000 UTCReally enjoyed the video! My wife sees similar pacing and narrative that she experienced in China I personally liked the color scheme being hinted at earlier and then the reveal of the 5 nation flag later
Kevin Xu
2024-12-20 22:23:20 +0000 UTCAlmost done, I very much appreciate the effort on the other names and can see the difference Just another one that I think really needs correcting 11:32 - should be HuBei(Who-bay) not hebei. This is one that needs correction since hebei is a different province close to Beijing(Peking)
Kevin Xu
2024-12-20 22:17:19 +0000 UTCYour right. Started in 1839, and ending in 1945 according the Wikipedia if that is to trusted..
TankerBricks
2024-12-20 21:48:06 +0000 UTCGreat video love the musical choices and nice to see a comprehensive history to almost fill in the blanks around my sporadic knowledge. How Many episodes are we getting maybe 4? Guessing it will go up till atleast 1989? One more question, I had thought The Century of Humiliation was meant to have ended after the civil war in 1949 not 1895 as that marked the end of foreign interference by other powers?
Stuart Carver
2024-12-20 21:19:16 +0000 UTCExcellent video! Looking forward to the rest of the series!
TankerBricks
2024-12-20 21:17:37 +0000 UTCOf course, but my wife and I are puzzling out the words when we just hear the audio, such as for 天下， I’ll point out more as we listen
Kevin Xu
2024-12-20 20:56:35 +0000 UTCIs it that bad? If so, we'll redo it. But I don't think Charles's accent will ever be flawless..
Epic History
2024-12-20 20:40:57 +0000 UTC天下 I hear a bit of a soft t (like Chris-Tian) but 天 is more of a hard T, think (Tuh-yan)
Kevin Xu
2024-12-20 20:33:27 +0000 UTCI studied as a intern at SanXingDui and it caught my ever lasting interest in China. Thank you Epic History for making a video on China!!
HANZWAGNER X3
2024-12-20 20:20:34 +0000 UTCOh boy, part excited, but part cringe with that 中国pronunciation
Kevin Xu
2024-12-20 20:20:04 +0000 UTCSaw the notification and got really excited! I am really curious to see how you guys did your spin on this often overlooked but important part of history! What a great start to the weekend!
Juan Manuel van der Zee
2024-12-20 20:19:23 +0000 UTCDidn't expect it to be out so early!
Devandh
2024-12-20 20:18:30 +0000 UTC
