What did it take for China to remove the influence of foreign powers from its borders?

The removal of foreign influence from China's borders was significantly impacted by World War II and the subsequent Communist revolution. During World War II, China experienced a period of Japanese occupation, which catalyzed a sense of nationalism and unity among the Chinese people against foreign domination. The aftermath of the war saw a power vacuum and significant changes in the political landscape, leading to civil conflict between the Nationalists and Communists.

The Communist revolution, which culminated in 1949, was crucial in solidifying China's sovereignty. Under the leadership of Mao Zedong, the Communist Party garnered support from various sectors of Chinese society, promoting the idea of a unified and independent China free from foreign control. The establishment of the People's Republic of China marked a definitive end to the era of foreign influence, as the new government sought to reclaim national identity and assert control over its territory.

In contrast, while the Opium Wars, World War I, and the Boxer Rebellion were significant events in China's history and influenced foreign relations, they did not directly lead to the removal of foreign powers in the same definitive way as World War II and the Communist revolution did. Hence, the circumstances of the mid-20th century were key to China's emergence as an independent nation free from the influence