The Mao Years

Mao Zedong is made the leader of China On October 1, 1949, he announces the establishment of a new Communist state called The People’s Republic of China Taking control was the first step for the Communists, now they needed to change China

The goal of the Communists was to create a strong, modern, industrialized China New political structure was made There was a Communist Party branch in every city and town People were organized into work units Government had direct control over lives

Land was taken away from the rich and given to the poor farmers The farmers owned their land and could grow what they wanted

All people equal- it doesn’t matter how much money you had Women are now legally equal and free- they could marry whom they wish, work where they wanted, etc

The Communists gained more control, trust and power by giving back to the peasants. Chinese people truly trusted Mao Zedong and the Communists

Once Mao Zedong had the peasant’s trust, he then could make the drastic changes he believed China needed

Socialize Agriculture in 1953, the Communists government took control of all of the farmland Change was made to make farming more productive Collective Farms were developed Peasants lost their land, tools, and animals They worked for the government the government controlled every aspect of agriculture

Despite these changes, China still did not reach the goal that Mao wanted, therefore more change was needed

Started in 1958 The goal was to increase China’s production greatly. Mao said it would only take 15 years to industrialize China like the western nations.

People communes were created there were about 26,000 communes (with about 25,000 people each) Each commune contained factories and farms Life in the communes was like life in the military. All decisions were made by the government, the people just had to work in the factories or farms day and night There was no family life

People worked day and night to increase output and productivity. Man lived in male quarters Women lived in the women quarters Children lived and were taken care of in the children’s quarters People just worked all the time to make China better- tried to make steel

It was “a serious leap backwards” Rather than increasing, production fell Life in the communes offered people no incentive to work hard Life was hard for the Chinese million people died from starvation and harsh conditions The Great Leap Forward was abandoned after 2 years

The Communists Party did not blame Mao Zedong- other leaders took the blame The Chinese people loved and trusted Mao Zedong- the Communists didn’t want to jeopardize that

In 1964, Mao Zedong wrote a book It was a called :Quotations from Chairman Mao” Pocket-sized collection of Mao’s saying and thoughts. Every man, woman, and child were given this book

Mao was feverishly revered and his words were considered the final authority Mao reaches God-like status

Mao states that the only reason the Great Leap Forward failed is because it was not a big enough change; even more drastic measures were needed In 1966 started the Great Cultural Revolution

The goal was to destroy “the Four Olds” “The Four Olds” were Old Ideology (anyone who didn’t agree with Mao) Old Thought (anyone who disagreed with Mao) Old Habits Old Customs

Mao created an army called the Red Guards A group of radical young men and women who answerd Mao’s call for revolution Mao actually told the young people that “to rebel is justified” and that revolution is not nice and pleasant, but it is necessary, brutal, and violent struggle

No part of society was safe Communist leaders who disagreed with Mao, teachers, artists, writers, anyone who disagreed with Mao were publicly humiliated, beaten, sent to prison, lost jobs and/or killed

In 1967 the Red Guards spiraled out of control Mao disbanded and killed his own Red Guards

Farm production fell Factory work grounded to a halt Schools closed The economy was almost completely ruined 100’s of thousands innocent people were put into jail, driven to remote rural areas, or killed An entire generation didn’t get an education By the end of repression and conformity ruled!

No one spoke against Mao or his ideas People prayed to him and told him their thoughts Twice a day they sang songs to him

Mao Zedong dies in 1979 of natural causes His body was preserved and is still on display Known as the Great Helmsman

Mao Zedong was the founder of modern China and is still regarded by the Chinese as one of their great leaders. However, he was also a ruthless and deeply flawed leader whose policies killed tens of millions of people. The so-called "Great Leap Forward" of collectivized farming and rapid industrialization led to nationwide famine which killed million people. The Cultural Revolution, which he launched to get rid of political opponents, dragged on for 10 years and ruined the lives and educations of a whole generation.