China’s Communist Revolution

Political Changes under Mao Mao Tse-tung (Mao Zedong) –Chairman Mao –and leader of China – Mao Zedong 毛泽东

Reasons for Mao/Communists’ Success Mao won support of peasants Mao won support of women Mao’s army used guerilla war tactics Many saw the Nationalist government as corrupt Many felt that the Nationalist allowed foreigners to dominate China

Geographical Changes Communist China gained control over: PRC = People’s Republic of China (Communists) / ROC = Republic of China (Nationalists)

Economic Changes under Mao First Five-Year Plan ( ) –Advances in agriculture and coal, electricity, iron, and steel production Second Five-Year Plan ( ) –“Great Leap Forward” *Backward* –Leading industrial country –Communes –Widespread catastrophe – famine – at least 14,000,000 deaths Propaganda Poster for the Great Leap Forward

Foreign Relations Russia (Soviet Union) and China are allies when Mao comes to power –Split begins between USSR and China due to a territorial disagreement – end of Soviet economic aid China supported Communist efforts in Korea and Vietnam (US Supported Democracy in both Wars)

Cultural Revolution ( ) “Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution” –Effort to revive interest in Mao’s ideas (and for Mao to regain power) –Call for youths to engage in post-revolutionary class warfare –Red Guards enforce equality