How did communism affect China? Notes #28

Flag of the Nationalist Party Prior to WWI, the Nationalist Party took control of China after overthrowing the Qing Dynasty. Flag of the Nationalist Party (or Kuomintang) Sun Yat-sen; founder of the Nationalist Party Chiang Kai-shek; successor to Sun Yat-sen

Many of China’s peasants believed the Nationalists were corrupt and supported the opposing Communist Party, led by Mao Zedong. Flag of the Chinese Communist Party 

As a result, the Chinese Civil War occurred between the Communists and the Nationalists.

The Communists won the Chinese Civil War and formed the People’s Republic of China.

A major reason the Communists were successful in this war was because they promised land to the peasants and had their support.

Taiwan’s first president After losing the Chinese Civil War, the Nationalists fled to the island of Taiwan (which claims its independence from China today). Chiang Kai-shek; Taiwan’s first president

Under Mao, a communist government was set up to lead China, which denied basic rights and freedoms of the Chinese people.

Mao launched the Great Leap Forward in an attempt to increase China’s agricultural and industrial output.

The Great Leap Forward divided China into communes, which ended up severely hurting China’s economy. An estimated 30 million Chinese people died of starvation (1958 – 1961)

Mao also launched the Cultural Revolution to eliminate any opposition to himself and his government.

Red Guard with their “Little Red Books” During the Cultural Revolution, the Red Guard was created to enforce the teachings of Mao. Red Guard with their “Little Red Books”

As a result of the Cultural Revolution, China’s economic and educational systems were disrupted.

After Mao died, Deng Xiaoping became the new leader of China.  Mao Zedong (1893 – 1976)

“Four Modernizations”: Science and technology Deng helped China become a more modern nation by setting goals for China, called the Four Modernizations. “Four Modernizations”: Farming Industry Science and technology Military defense

Under Deng, China improved its economic conditions by adopting policies that moved China toward a modified form of capitalism.

Deng also supported economic policies that led to China increasing its trade with the West.

China eventually became an economic power under Deng, but continued to deny political rights and freedoms to the Chinese people.

For example, when a Chinese student-led protest occurred in Tiananmen Square to demand greater political rights and freedoms, . . . April 15, 1989 – June 4, 1989

. . . the Chinese government responded by sending in the army to forcefully disperse the students, which resulted in the Tiananmen Square massacre.

“Tank Man” 21