20c China: From Republic to Communist Power

China in 1924

Two groups worked together to oppose the warlords and to drive out imperialist powers from China Mao Zedong As a Young Revolutionary Sun Yat-sen, head of the Nationalist Party Warlords

Saw the Japanese as a threat, but thought that the Communists were much more dangerous Did not support the redistribution of wealth because he was supported by the rural landed gentry and the urban middle class Chiang Kai-shek took over the Nationalist Party Worked to create a “New China”: teach the people about the government, New Life Movement “Communists are a disease of the heart”

The Long March Communists, led by Mao Zedong, fought the larger Nationalist army by using guerilla tactics during the Long March

The Communist Victory

Reasons for the Communist success Mao won support of peasants – land Mao won support of women Mao’s army used guerilla war tactics Many saw the Nationalist government as corrupt Many felt that the Nationalists allowed foreigners to dominate China.

The Great Leap Forward, 1958 5 year plan to increase agriculture and industry Communes – combine collective farms together Groups of people who live and work together Property held in common Had production quotas

Communist China Under Mao Increased literacy – women were given more rights Class privileges ended – racial equality Reduce Confucian values Good of community over individual rights Industrialized China One-party dictatorship Denied people basic rights and freedoms Rural Chinese received health care

Campaign against the “Four Olds” Old Thoughts Old Culture Old Customs Old Habits To Rebel Is Good!

The Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution Led by the Urban working class Mao’s plans for this – Little Red Book Designed to renew revolutionary spirit and establish a more equitable society Mao wanted to put “intellectuals” in their place Schools shut down – students revolted Red Guards – students who attacked professors, government officials, factory managers

With regard to the great teacher Chairman Mao, cherish the word 'Loyalty'. With regard to the great Mao Zedong Thought, vigorously stress the word 'Usefullness'. (1968) Cult of Personality

Propaganda Poster

Go among the workers, peasants and soldiers, and into the thick of struggle! 1967-1972

Propaganda Poster

Power Struggle Communist Traditionalists Modernists 1976 Zhou Enlai “The Gang of Four”: Jiang Qin, Chen Boda, Wang Hongwen, Yao Wenyuan

“The 4 Modernizations” Progress in: Deng Xiaoping “The 4 Modernizations” Progress in: Agriculture Industry Technology National Defense

“The 4 Modernizations” Progress in: Allowed land to be leased to peasants Invited foreign investors into China Allowed sales of excess products (after rent was paid) & could produce goods for sale DID NOT BRING THE FIFTH MODERNIZATION = DEMOCRACY People who openly complained about the Communist Party were often jailed for long periods of time.

Tiananmen Square, 1989 Protestors called for an end to the corruption in the government More democracy!

Tiananmen Square