Chinese Communism

Revolution The Chinese Communist Revolution begins in the 1920’s, attempting to overthrow the corrupt Nationalist that had overthrown the last emperor. On the edge of defeat, one of the few remaining leaders, Mao Zedong, leads what remains of the People’s Liberation Army on the “Long March” to escape the Nationalist Army. The Long March extended over 12,500 km west and then north through deserts and mountain.

World War II The Japanese invasion brought a halt to the Revolution. The PLA, hiding in the mountainous north is hidden from the Japanese Army. The Nationalist Army retreats to the south and does comparatively little fighting. After recovering from the March, Mao begins leading the PLA against the Japanese.

Jiang Jieshi The Allies support the restoration of the Nationalist government under Jiang Jieshi. Jiang had been conserving his forces during WWII to enable him to beat the PLA. Huge popular support allows the PLA to overcome the Nationalist in 1949.

Taiwan In 1949, Jiang and the Nationalist government flee to the island of Taiwan. They continue to call themselves the Republic of China. The UN Security Council, dominated by the anti-communist West gives China’s seat to the RoC.

Reform Mao’s economic and land reforms are initially very successful. His first Soviet-style 5-year plan meets its ambitious goals. Mao decides to push hard with his next plan—The Great Leap Forward.

The Great Leap Forward The Great Leap Forward was intended to change China from an agricultural economy to an industrial one. It also sought replace traditional family and village structures with communal living. Outside the communes, farmers were forced to take up “backyard industry”, which took time away from farming. This combined with bad weather from 1958-1961 to create one of the worst famines in history. Mao is forced from power but remains a figure-head for the Communist Government

The Cultural Revolution In 1966, Mao begins speaking about the need to continue the Revolution. To sweep away the old, corrupt culture and replace it with pure Marxist communism. His followers, mostly high school and university students, become the Red Guard.

The Cultural Revolution The Red Guard denounce any one connect with the old culture—including intellectuals, professors, even their own parents. Culture criminals are forced to work in remote villages as “re-education. The students often become violent begin to get out of control. By 1976, even Mao realized the Cultural Revolution is bad for China. He retires again and the new leaders use the PLA to restore order and break up the Red Guard.