Communists Take Power in China Chapter 17.2

China’s Civil War Before World War II, the Nationalists and the Communists were fighting a civil war Before World War II, the Nationalists and the Communists were fighting a civil war During World War II, they stopped fighting each other and both fought Japan. During World War II, they stopped fighting each other and both fought Japan. After World War II ended, the civil war started again. After World War II ended, the civil war started again.

The Civil War: The Communists The Communists were led by Mao Zedong. The Communists were led by Mao Zedong. He organized the peasants to fight a guerilla-style war against the Nationalists. He organized the peasants to fight a guerilla-style war against the Nationalists. The Soviet Union gave money and support to the Communists. The Soviet Union gave money and support to the Communists.

The Civil War: The Naitonalists Jiang Jieshi led the Nationalists. Jiang Jieshi led the Nationalists. His army was corrupt and had weak leaders. His army was corrupt and had weak leaders. The United States aided the Nationalists. The United States aided the Nationalists.

Communism in China Mao Zedong and the Communists won the Civil War. Mao Zedong and the Communists won the Civil War. The Communist Party controlled all parts of the government. The Communist Party controlled all parts of the government. Mao wanted to rebuild China. He took land from the wealthy landowners and gave it to the peasants. People in the upper classes who resisted were killed. Mao wanted to rebuild China. He took land from the wealthy landowners and gave it to the peasants. People in the upper classes who resisted were killed. The peasants were seen as the heroes of the new China. The peasants were seen as the heroes of the new China.

Bringing Communism to China Mao forced many peasants to move onto collective farms. Mao forced many peasants to move onto collective farms. –These were large farms (or communes) where families lived and worked. –All food grown went to the government to then give to the people. The government took over ownership of many businesses. The government took over ownership of many businesses. –There were no more privately owned companies.

Great Leap Forward Mao wanted to improve China even more. Mao wanted to improve China even more. He created the Great Leap Forward in This was an economic plan to improve the industry and agriculture of China. He created the Great Leap Forward in This was an economic plan to improve the industry and agriculture of China. The peasants all worked to make China better. They ate in communal kitchens, slept in dorms, and raised kids in communal nurseries. They did not pay for any of this. The peasants all worked to make China better. They ate in communal kitchens, slept in dorms, and raised kids in communal nurseries. They did not pay for any of this. The Great Leap Forward was not successful. A famine hit in 1961, killing about 20 million people. The Great Leap Forward was not successful. A famine hit in 1961, killing about 20 million people.

Cultural Revolution In 1966, Mao tried to bring back the ideas of the revolution. In 1966, Mao tried to bring back the ideas of the revolution. He encouraged young people to “Learn revolution by making revolution.” He encouraged young people to “Learn revolution by making revolution.” Mao worried that too many people were moving away from communism. Mao worried that too many people were moving away from communism. Millions of students became soldiers for Mao, called Red Guards. Millions of students became soldiers for Mao, called Red Guards. They started a revolt called the Cultural Revolution. They started a revolt called the Cultural Revolution.

The Cultural Revolution The goal of the Cultural Revolution was to make a society of peasants and workers where everyone was equal. The goal of the Cultural Revolution was to make a society of peasants and workers where everyone was equal. The Red Guards attacked people all over China. The Red Guards attacked people all over China. –They attacked educated people and shut down schools. –They attacked anything that represented ancient China. Many were killed or imprisoned. Many were killed or imprisoned. The Cultural Revolution caused chaos in China. Mao had to stop it in The Cultural Revolution caused chaos in China. Mao had to stop it in 1968.