1. Communist China
The rise of Mao Zedong

2. Decline of China Manchu (Quing) Dynasty is initially strong
Up through the 1700’s China is a major world power, trading with Europe and dominating Asia
Internal struggles (growing population and weakening of the central government) leads to decline
During the 1800’s China was imperialized by almost every major European power

3. Imperialism in China
By the 20th century China is divided up into “spheres of influence”
China struggles to try and reform and catch up with the Western world while maintaining its cultural heritage
Different political groups within China compete to reform the country (Nationalist Party and the Chinese Communist Party)

4. May 4th Movement
May 4th, 1919
Demonstrations protesting Chinese government’s weak response to the Treaty of Versailles
Treaty gave Japan certain areas that had been surrendered by Germany (territories in Shandong)
Began with student demonstrations in Beijing
Part of a greater cultural movement from

5. New-Democratic Revolution
Influenced by the revolutions in Russia, Communist groups began to form in China
First National Congress is held in Shanghai in Mao Zedong is one of the 12 delegates
Communist Party of China (CPC) is founded

6. Mao Zedong 12/26/1893-9/9/1976 Born into a wealthy farming family
Chinese Communist revolutionary
Founding father of the People’s Republic of China
Was inspired by Karl Marx and Vladimir Lenin
His policies are referred to Marxism-Leninism-Maoism or Mao Zedong Thought

7. Chinese Civil War
Fought between the Kuomintang (KMT) and the Communist Party of China (CPC)
Chiang Kai-shek is one of the key leaders of the KMT, while Mao is one of the key leaders of the CPC
The civil war results in two states: the Republic of China (ROC) in Taiwan and the People’s Republic of China (PRC) on the mainland
Both states claimed to be the legitimate government of China

8. World War II Civil war pauses during World War II
CPC and KMT stop fighting one another, instead fight Japan
World War II began much earlier for China, with the Japanese invasions in the 1930’s
China greatly aided in preventing Japanese expansion
China was one of the allies, working with Great Britain and the US to help stop Japan

9. Civil War Continues
After World War II the civil war continues, except now the CPC has the advantage
Many military and political decisions made during WWII were unpopular amongst young supporters, who then switched and joined the CPC
US support of the KMT also diminished after WW2, while Soviet support of the CPC began to increase
Civil war ends in 1950

10. Consequences of Civil War
Estimated million die as a result of the Civil War
In 1949 Mao Zedong declares the People’s Republic of China, with Beijing as the capital
Chiang Kai-shek and 2 million Nationalists flee to Taiwan, known as the Republic of China (ROC)
The United States protects the ROC and ensures that the PRC do not invade
Since then Taiwan and China have slowly been rebuilding relations

11. Mao in control
The People’s Republic of China (PRC) is directly controlled by the Communist Party of China (CPC)
Mao begins to consolidate his power by creating land reforms and working against his perceived enemies, who he deemed “counter-revolutionaries”
Had a goal of transforming China into a modern industrial nation

12. The Great Leap Forward
Economic and Social campaign from , designed to rapidly modernize China and change from an agrarian economy (farming) into a socialist society
Similar to Stalin’s 5 Year Plan
Resulted in the Great Chinese Famine, which is the cause of over 40 million deaths
Famine was caused by low levels of food production as well as inefficient and unorganized distribution
Mao was criticized for this failure, which caused him to lose power and influence within the party

13. Cultural Revolution
Designed by Mao Zedong to preserve true Communist ideology by removing capitalist and traditional elements from society in China
Was a move to recover political power by Mao
The movement insisted that “revisionists”, people in China who promoted capitalism, had to be removed through violent class struggle
Red Guard was a movement of Chinese Youth to perpetuate these goals
Millions of people were persecuted, cultural icons were destroyed, religious sites were ransacked