Knowledge Connections

Definition

Picture

TermVocabulary Great Leap Forward Red Guard

Essential Question

How did communism rise in China?

When did China go Communist?

1949 – The People’s Republic of China is formed

China had been involved in a CIVIL WAR for nearly 20 years

Chinese Nationalists Chinese Communists

led by Chiang Kai-Shek led by Mao Zedong

vs

Who won the civil war?During the 1930s, the Nationalists and the Communists worked together to battle the Japanese…

…but when World War II ended, the struggle between the Nationalists and the Communists resumed

In 1949, the Nationalists fled to the island of Taiwan and Mao Zedong declared victory for the Communists

What was Mao’s plan for China?

Mao wanted China to:

► Modernize as soon as possible

► Become a nation without social classes

To help China reach these goals, Mao took total control

The United States refused to recognize the People’s Republic of China

How did Mao run China?

GREAT LEAP FORWARDMao’s 5 year economic plan – combining farms into huge communes where up to 30,000 people live and work together

CULTURAL REVOLUTIONMao’s effort to rid China of

Communist opposition

RED GUARDMao’s revolutionary group assigned to destroy people that

were still practicing old ideas, culture, customs, or habits

Is China still Communist?China is still a Communist nation

1976 – Mao dies at age 82, DENG XIAOPING becomes the new leader

1972 – US President RICHARD NIXON visited China

What was China like after Mao?

1989 – Troops fire upon pro-democracy Chinese students in

TIANANMEN SQUARE in Beijing

1979 – The US and China establish diplomatic relations

Essential Question

How did communism rise in China?

Communism in China