The People’s Republic of China

Summary of History Long period of Dynasties 1650 BCE-1911CE –Some Great some Weak –Some not truly Chinese Calls for modernization began in 1850’s –Impossible under Dynastic rule Revolution in 1911 brings about Democratic System –Intense Fighting between Nationalist Party and Chinese Communist Party ensues Nationalists persecute Communists After WWII and Japanese invasion tables turn

Leaders of Each Side Nationalist Party = Chiang Kai-shek Communist Party = Mao Zedong

Communist Victory Enemies: Greedy Landlords, Corrupt Officials, Foreign Imperialists US helped Nationalists fight Communists even before the end of WWII Communists, largely peasants, motivated to improve life Nationalist army professional, underfed, and underpaid suffered low morale –Corruption often hurt cause By 1949 Communists take Beijing and declare People’s Republic of China Chiang and old govt. officials forced to retreat to the island of Taiwan (Still there today)

Appeal of Communism Appealed to poor and educated middle class Promises “dictatorship of the people” Goals: –Redistribute land –End Political Corruption –Rid the Nation of Imperial influence Heavily influenced by Karl Marx, but applied his ideas to China’s economic state Also looked to Lenin and decision to have a small group represent the masses in Russian Revolution of 1917

Creating a New Order New Constitution Written that promises Democracy on paper In practice a one-party system controlled by the Communists existed People’s Liberation Army used to silence Critic Mao named chairman of PR of C Create totalitarian sate to restore order and achieve revolutionary goals in a war-torn nation where millions are starving

Mao’s Leadership Propaganda used to make Mao a hero People taught Mao had all the answers to China’s Problems Memorize sayings from “Quotations from Chairman Mao” (Little Red Book) Obedience and loyalty to Mao a theme throughout China Order was restored and foreign influence was ended Mao had a goal to make China Self Sufficient –Increase food production –Builds schools –Extended health care services Some Plans failed –Great Leap Forward –Cultural Revolution

Mao’s Goals Better Life for Poor Development of Modern Economy Restoration of China as a major World Power Plan to Achieve: End Private Ownership and put the entire economy in the hands of the government

Agriculture Farm land redistributed and peasants forced to pull their land and work on collective farms (farms run by the govt) Great Leap Forward –Established in 1958 –China divided into communes –People lose basic freedoms to improve infrastructure –Huge Failure: –Food production fails, people don’t work hard

Cultural Revolution Answer to dissent in party after Great Leap Forward’s failure Great Proletariat Revolution (1966) –New Generation needs to fight a revolution –Call to root out believers of Capitalism –Students establish Red Guard to do this –Those caught were forced to do manual labor in distant rural areas –Created Chaos in China Production Slowed –Military restored order in 1969 Red Guard sent to work in far off rural areas

New Direction After Mao’s death in 1976 a new leader Deng Xiaoping turned away from Mao’s ideas –Eased some of Govt’s Strict Economic Controls –Sent students to study abroad –Encouraged foreign investment Led to presses by the educated for Democratic Reforms and demands for political freedom –As movement got too big the government suppressed it –Tiananmen Square Massacre Throughout the last two decades economic reforms have continued, but democratic movements have been suppressed.