Communist Revolution  Civil War ( ) Nationalists (leader was Chiang Kai- Shek) versus Communists (leader was Mao Zedong)  1949: Communists captured Beijing Mao announced birth of People’s Republic of China Chiang retreated to Taiwan Mao Zedong Chiang Kai-Shek

Why the Communists Won  Communists gained the support of the Chinese people, who approved the guerrilla-like tactics of the Communist Army.  Communists blocked supply lines and railroad tracks to the overly extended Nationalist troops.  Promised to end oppression by the landlords on the poor by giving land reforms  Promised to end foreign influence  Called for industrialization  Promised China would become a world leader Propaganda Picture of Mao

A New Order  In theory, there were… Free elections Free speech Free press  In reality, it was a… One party dictatorship (totalitarian rule)  Propaganda used to foster support for Chairman Mao Obedience and loyalty to Chairman Mao Chairman Mao has all the answers Little Red Book

Example of Propaganda This Chinese poster from 1966 depicts a soldier reading Mao Zedong's Little Red Book. The slogan under the poster translates as "Warriors love reading Chairman Mao's books most." The use of role models in posters was common during the Cultural Revolution. Soldiers of the People's Liberation Army typified the values of loyalty and obedience the leadership sought to promote. In time, the military itself became responsible for much of the propaganda artwork that was disseminated during the period.

Land Reforms  Early 1950s CCP (Chinese Communist Party): Gave away landowners’ land to peasants who had little or none Perhaps 3 million people were executed as members of the exploitative landlord class.  Late 1950s Collectivization of agriculture: goal was to eliminate private farms in favor of collective farms in order to speed industrialization ○ Members worked for the state and received a share of the harvest ○ Rest of harvest went to the government

Resources  "Chinese Communist Party." World History: The Modern Era. ABC-CLIO, Web. 23 Feb  "Chinese Communist Revolution." World History: The Modern Era. ABC-CLIO, Web. 23 Feb  "Mao Zedong." World History: The Modern Era. ABC-CLIO, Web. 23 Feb