Mao Zedong and the Chinese Revolution d. Describe the impact of Communism in China in terms of Mao Zedong, the Great Leap Forward, the Cultural Revolution, and Tiananmen Square.

Birth of the Chinese Communist Party Many young Chinese were angry about the Treaty after WWI which gave some of their land to Japan They wanted to end what they felt was a failed government. They began looking at Russia and their Communist Revolution as an alternative to western democracy.

In 1921, a group of young Chinese men including Mao Zedong met to form the Chinese Communist Party.

Civil War in China Mao Zedong survived the attack on the communists by the Nationalists led by Chiang Kai-shek. He relocated his communist party to the countryside and rallied the support of the peasants.

Long March 1933 – Mao and 600,000 followers escaped defeat from the Nationalist government by heading into the mountainside. The 6,000 mile journey was known as the Long March. There was a temporary truce during World War II while both sides fought to keep the Japanese from taking over China.

People’s Republic of China When WWII was over the Civil War started up again. (Technically was still going on during WWII) Mao’s army was now known as the Red Army. In 1949 the Red Army defeated the Nationalist government. Oct. 1949 – Mao proclaimed the creation of the People’s Republic of China. (a communist government)

Mao Zedong wanted a nation of farmers and workers (everyone equal)

Great Leap Forward (GLF) Mao Zedong got rid of private ownership of property 1958, decided to organize all farms into large collectives where ownership and decisions were made by the government Called the “Great Leap Forward” because Mao believed positive changes would follow

Outcome of GLF Many Chinese didn’t like the large farms – missed their own land Couldn’t own anything for themselves – no incentive to work hard (think command economy!) Late 1950s, China had a series of crop failures China went through a period of famine 45 million died during this time (estimate)

Mao (left) and Ho Chi Minh (right)

Cultural Revolution (CR) After failure of GLF, people began looking out for themselves (private ownership), which upset Mao The idea of a classless, communist society was fading. So Mao responded with the Cultural Revolution. Urged students to leave school and go to war on anything in society that promoted class differences Student armies known as the “Red Guard”

Cultural Revolution Community leaders in high positions were attacked – so were business managers, college professors, and gov’t officials who didn’t firmly believe in full equality Chaos, random imprisonment, and frequent murder happened for 10 years until Mao finally ended it

But Western investment = western ideas Deng Xiaoping Mao died in 1976, and by 1980 Deng Xiaoping was the new leader Reforms: Allowed farmers to own some land Some private businesses to organize Opened China to foreign investment But Western investment = western ideas

Tiananmen Square (1989) Over 10,000 students gathered to protest corruption in China’s gov’t Wanted democracy! Deng ordered thousands of soldiers to end the protest Hundreds died, many more wounded, and a lot of them arrested. China would continue to be censored.