China Follows its Own Path 931-935

What were some unintended impacts of Mao Zedong’s policies on China? Damaged Chinese agricultural and industrial output Lack of modern technology Elimination of individual work incentives Led to talks in China of modernizing the economy and “taking the capitalist road” The Cultural Revolution, meant to save radical communism, actually turned many Chinese people against it

How did Zhou Enlai “open China’s doors” to the world How did Zhou Enlai “open China’s doors” to the world? What effects did this have on China’s relations w/the western world? 1971 – invited an American table tennis team to tour China Signaled that China was willing to form ties w/Western nations 1971 – US endorsed UN membership for the PRC (mainland China) 1972 – President Nixon visited China (1st president to do so) 1979 – US & China formed diplomatic relations

Who emerged as China’s most powerful leader by 1980 Who emerged as China’s most powerful leader by 1980? How did he differ from Mao? 1980 – Deng Xiaoping was China’s most powerful leader Boldly supported moderate economic policies and was willing to use capitalist ideas to improve China’s economy

What results did Deng’s Four Modernizations have on China’s economy What results did Deng’s Four Modernizations have on China’s economy? (list at least 3) Eliminated the commune system Farmers had to pay rent in a quota of crops to the government but could grow & sell excess crops for profit Food production increased by 50% Gov. allowed small private businesses to operate & gave more freedom to managers of large state-run businesses Incomes increased & people began buying appliances and TVs Some foreign technology & investment was allowed China had many more Western influences New fashions, more tourists

How did economic reform introduce new political ideas to China? More Chinese students began studying abroad (overseas) in Western nations Learned about western political ideas (personal freedom, democracy) Led to more Chinese questioning their lack of political freedom

What were students calling for in their occupation of Tiananmen Square in 1989? Called for democratic reforms and freedom of the press in China Some called for Deng Xiaoping to resign

How did Deng and the Communists respond to the protests and calls for his resignation? Deng declared martial law (military rule) Heavily armed soldiers and tanks stored Tiananmen Square to break up the protest Hundreds killed and thousands wounded

How did government officials explain their actions to the Chinese people? Said that claims of a massacre were untrue Officials said a small group of criminals had plotted against the government Said that the military showed restraint before being forced to crush the riot

What human rights issues have some Americans criticized China for throughout the 1990s? China continues to repress pro-democracy movements Continues to deny basic rights to political opponents