National Archives and Records Administration



China: The Roots of Madness



National Security Council. Central Intelligence Agency. (09/18/1947 - 12/04/1981)



ARC Identifier 616322 / Local Identifier 263-69. This film covers China's political history including Mao Tse-tung, the Boxer Rebellion, and the Nationalist - Communist victory.



Made possible by a donation from John and Paige Curran.

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Reviewer: Beldapriest - favorite favorite favorite favorite - November 30, 2018

Subject: Must watch This helps put China into perspective. You need to know these things when you think about what is going on there today. They love Mao because before him they were starving. I also understand why China hates Japan so much now. - November 30, 2018Must watch

Reviewer: Brickenwood22 - favorite favorite favorite favorite favorite - November 24, 2013

Subject: The End of Mystery Theodore White includes a strong focus on the old theme and thesis that China - and the East in general - is a mysterious place and of a mysterious civilization, culture, society. We recognize this today as racism and as explainable for its time. Since roughly 1980 China has become increasingly less mysterious as Western people, from the USA especially, interact with China on a daily basis. We see China on 24 hour news channels and can live there to work in various capacities. Many universities now have China studies programs of study that are much higher quality and scope. So a great asset of viewing this is the contrast of White's time - and for 2000 years prior to it - and our time during which China is much better known, understood, comprehended. The mysteries of China reside in the past, as this worthwhile presentation documents so very well. - November 24, 2013The End of Mystery

Reviewer: ax-11 - favorite favorite favorite favorite - February 12, 2013

Subject: Better than the Title A lot better than the title might let you think. Not so much "madness" but a rather unexcited and informative walk through Chinas long history. Kind of US-centric, of course, but that does not really hurt. - February 12, 2013Better than the Title