AHC: Split China

How can you make it so that, with a POD between 1400 and 1900, China is split into two culturally separate nation-states, of comparable size and/or power, to modern day, and with little desire to reunify?
 
Probability of this happening is quite low. All Confucian countries have unity enshrined as core part of the faith. A split is possible, but no desire to unify? I don't see that happening.
 

RousseauX

Donor
By the Ming dynasty in 1400 it's way too late, China as a whole have more or less accepted the Confucian illiterate-civil service tradition/system as a binding force for itself. In other words, the ties of language, high culture, and the prestige of the "all under heaven" imperial system is far too ingrained in the social and political elite of the time for it to be broken.
 
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It's just possible that a KMT victory at Huaihai and a CPC victory at Tianjin *and* an escalating Cold War leads to a Korea-style partition of China. North China becomes a psychotic and totalitarian dictatorship, while South China transforms from a corrupt and semi-fascist military dictatorship to a rather conservative and corporatist democracy and an economic powerhouse.

Both Chinas profess the goal of reunification, but the insanity and backwardness of the North make many young South Chinese balk.
 
It's just possible that a KMT victory at Huaihai and a CPC victory at Tianjin *and* an escalating Cold War leads to a Korea-style partition of China. North China becomes a psychotic and totalitarian dictatorship, while South China transforms from a corrupt and semi-fascist military dictatorship to a rather conservative and corporatist democracy and an economic powerhouse.

Both Chinas profess the goal of reunification, but the insanity and backwardness of the North make many young South Chinese balk.

No that wouldn't even rate in the top ten splits in Chinese history.
 
No that wouldn't even rate in the top ten splits in Chinese history.

The OP's requirement is for the desire to reunify to dissipate. Before the industrial era, economic disparities did not dissuade political unions. A Korea-like split would damage the desire for reunification, especially if the commie half is as insane and screwed up as North Korea.

Even if North China were like OTL mainland China and South China like OTL Taiwan, the obstacles for reunification are surmountable. They're almost impossible to surmount in Korea.
 
By the Ming dynasty in 1400 it's way too late, China as a whole have more or less accepted the Confucian illiterate-civil service tradition/system as a binding force for itself. In other words, the ties of language, high culture, and the prestige of the "all under heaven" imperial system is far too ingrained in the social and political elite of the time for it to be broken.

I agree. Earlier POD could have made both Yuan and Ming Dynasty exist. This could develop 2 distinct Chinese culture.

As for OP, possible POD could be Qing Dynasty not able to conquer whole China.
This requires stronger and more earlier Zungarian Khanate.
Centralized Oirats establish Zungarian Khanate around 1580's. Then they could establish close relationship with Ming Dynasty. When QIng Dynasty conquers Eastern Mongolia and kills last Great Khan of Mongols, Zungars conquers Khalkha Mongolia.
Qing Dynasty defeats Li Zicheng and conquers Beijing. When Qing Dynasty move to Yangtze river Zungars would attack them. Qing Dynasty to deal with Zungars halts conquest of Yangtze river basin.
Qing Dynasty successfully repels Zungar attack.
Ming is consolidates its authority but still too weak to repel Qing Dynasty.
Qing and Ming Dynasty become stalemate same as Song-Jin Dynasty.
I don't know how this two dynasty will become culturally different, but at least hair-style and clothes will be different. Maybe Qing Dynasty language will be influenced by Manchu.
Then in 1900's one becomes Communists and others become capitalist. Then this 2 might be same as today's Austrians and Germany's. (both Germans but different nations)
 
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Agreed; the best possible hope for this is the Manchus being stopped at South China, or a semi-successful Revolt of the Three Feudatories (that stalemates at the Yangtze.)
 
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