Slide 1

Revolution in Chinaand Communist China

(How does this compare with the Russian Revolution and Stalin’s

Soviet Union)

This presentation relies heavily on a power point created by Dan McDowell. Teaching Point, ©2003

Slide 2

Revolution in China

Where are the sources?

History is interpretation!

Slide 3

Background

• Manchu / Qing Dynasty maintained limited power despite forced concessions to western nations and Japan at the beginning of the 20th century.

• Rural & urban workers, nationalists, communists, and intellectuals challenged the government.

• The dynasty fell in 1911 and a weak provisional government took its place.

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Background

• After the Chinese emperor fell, regional warlords took control of many parts of China.

• Nationalist groups and communist groups moved to gain power.

• Sun Yat-sen became the leading figure in the Nationalist movement.

• There was an shaky alliance between Nationalists and Communists.

Slide 5

Background

• Between 1925 – 1937 the NATIONALISTS led by Chiang Kai-shek and the COMMUNISTS led by Mao Zedong fought for control of China

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Nationalists vs Communists

• Chiang used brutal tactics against his rivals within the Nationalist party and violently attacked communists leaders, worker groups, and their supporters.

• Allies in organized crime, and Western powers supported Chiang.

• GMD controlled much of China.

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Slide 8

Chiang Kai-shek• Encouraged continued

western investment in China and worked closely with foreign investors.

• He failed to consolidate power, improve the economy (especially the peasants), or modernize China

Slide 9

The Long March

• In 1934 Chiang Kai-shek attacked the communist strong-hold in Hunan province.

Slide 10

The Long March

• 100,000 men retreated 6000 miles over 370 days to a new communist base in Northern China.

• 30,000 soldiers remained

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Mao Zedong became the leader of the communists.

• More concerned with the plight of the Chinese peasant – who had been ignored by the GMD

Slide 12

Mao Zedong

• Led the army in developing guerilla warfare tactics to fight the Nationalists and then Japanese

Slide 13

Civil War / Japanese Invasion

• 1937 – Japan invaded China proper

• Communists and Nationalists fought the Japanese “separately together”.

• Communists were more effective in their guerilla war against the Japanese than the Nationalist army.

Slide 14

Civil War & Cold War

• After WWII ended, civil war continued.

• The US began sending military and tactical help to Chiang Kai-shek and the USSR provided minimal help to Mao Zedong

Slide 15

Communist Victory

1949 • Chiang Kai-shek and

the Nationalists were driven out of mainland China to Taiwan, the Communists claimed victory and founded the Communist People’s Republic of China led by Mao Zedong.

Slide 16

Power Base of Mao• The ARMY was already

established in the fight against the Japanese and the Nationalists.

• PEASANT support grew even stronger with early redistributions of land by the government.

• OTHERS supported the government because of propaganda and education.

Slide 17

Mao consolidated power

• Many who were nationalists, upperclass, or dissidents were imprisoned in forced labor camps or killed.

Slide 18

Economic Development

• Foreign economic influence was eliminated – most foreigners were kicked out of China

• A Soviet style five year plan was implemented to encourage collectivization of agriculture and rapid industrialization.

• (These efforts had limited success.)

Slide 19

Women’s Status Improved“Women hold up half the sky.”

• Foot-binding ended and arranged marriages were limited

• Women could hold professions, join the army, and serve in the government.

• “Legal equality” with men.

Slide 20

Women’s Status Improved?

• Women were working outside of the home AND still responsible for the home and childcare.

• Traditional emphasis on men as “superior” continued.

Slide 21

The Hundred Flowers Policy

1957 • Goverment loosened control

of people• People were allowed to

question government policies• Significant rise in anti-

government rhetoric caused Mao to end the policy and arrest top critics

Slide 22

Great Leap Forward

1958 - Mao attempted to reinvent Chinese economy

• Wished to industrialize outside the western model as quickly as possible– Eliminated private enterprise– Forced people out of the cities and into

communes– “Backyard steel mills” – small industrial

centers scattered throughout China

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Great Leap Forward = Great Leap Backward

Slide 24

Great Leap Forward

• The plan failed miserably – famine caused 20 + million to die, steel production dropped

drastically, the program ended early, and Mao’s power was reduced

Slide 25

Cultural Revolution

1960s• Mao wished to regain

power he lost in the Great Leap Forward and create another revolutionary movement.

• Created The Red Guard from the Chinese youth – students, peasants, & soldiers

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Cultural Revolution

• Red Guard attacked people in positions of power or privilege who publicly disagreed with Mao.

• Any “suspects” were imprisoned or forced into labor in rural areas.

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Cultural Revolution

• Traditional culture and education were destroyed.

• Cult of personality formed around Mao

• Eventually military leaders supported ending cultural revolution in fear that it would get out of control.

Slide 30

China after Mao

• New communist leadership allowed some private business and farm ownership and created a stock exchange. Manufacturing increased drastically as trade boomed.

Slide 31

China after Mao

• Overall, redistribution of wealth, education, healthcare, and living standards improved to higher levels.

Slide 32

China after Mao

• Government control and lack of individual freedom along with a variety of economic and social problems still make China one of the least “free” places on the planet.

• Working conditions remain terrible.

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Slide 34

China after Mao

• Tiananmen Square protests of 1989 --student and labor protesters were killed by government forces

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