Communist Rule in Modern China

China Slightly larger than the US Natural resources Tin, tungsten (steel), coal, iron , copper, lead, and aluminum Mountains, deserts, and highlands cover 2/3 of the land surface World’s largest population 1.2 billion people 80 percent live in countryside (farming) 20 percent in overcrowded urban areas Government tries to slow population growth Restrict number of pregnancies High number of abortions of females

Dynastic China Powerful emperors ruled China for thousands of years “Mandate from Heaven” Confucian tradition could be overthrown if ruled poorly Obey people superior to them Pyramid structure (hierarchy) Heaven, Emperor, Government officials and landlords, peasants Fall of Dynasty European Influence British Opium Rebellion by western ideas (Dr. Sun Yat-sen) After fall, China controlled by Warlords (military generals)

The Communist Revolution “The Liberation” Communist Party formed in 1920’s Planned to end social and economic inequality Chaing Kai-shek ruled China and fought the communist The Nationalist Party President but dictator of China Long civil war preceded the Communist Revolution in 1949 Communist Army was named People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Leader, Mao Zedong Long March (90,000 to 6,000) Communists confiscated land from landlords and redistributed it among the peasants.

The Influence of Soviet Socialism

The Influence of Soviet Socialism Chinese leaders looked to create a socialist and modern state Looked to Soviet Five-year Plan Development of heavy industry rather than revolutionary spirit Organized peasants into state-owned collectives Rejected the guidance of Soviet Union because of reliance of technological experts and not enough on human spirit and the socialist value of equality

The Great Leap Forward

The Great Leap Forward Leap ahead of Soviet Union and Britain Mao was fearful the Chinese revolutionary spirit was waning Strong enough for equality and achieve communism? Plan to teach masses to industrialize on one “great leap” Organized into communes that guaranteed various services Railroads, dams, reservoirs Food and healthcare Failed and resulted in widespread famine

The Cultural Revolution Leaders focused on rebuilding economy after Great Leap Mao believed it threatened socialist spirit Concerned more with making money Mao called on young people, Red Guards, to guard the culture of the Revolution Four olds (ideas, culture, customs, habits) Red Guards wanted to stamp out “incorrect” or old values and habits Imprisoning and humiliating “enemies” Raiding homes and destroying anything associated with the four olds Communist Leaders lost control Organized marches, destroy artifacts Red Guards were disbanded

Economic Reforms of Deng Xiaoping

Economic Reforms of Deng Xiaoping New leader, Deng Xiaoping, rejected extreme socialist values Focus on Chinese economy Four Modernizations – science, industry, technology, and defense Motivated by socialist spirit and service to nation Individual rewards to motivate people Shift power to local governments and families The Responsibility System Peasants allowed to sell crops if they produced government quota Increased agricultural production Capitalist enterprise in China Private ownership, hiring, profit from labor of others Special Economic Zones: foreign investors build factories, cheap labor Reforms proved successful

Protest for Democracy at Tiananmen Square

Protest for Democracy at Tiananmen Square People wanted political reform with economic reform Freedom of press Students held a protest for democracy in the capital of Beijing Xiaoping called in army to clear the square Couldn’t enter city because of 2 million protesters Killing between 700 and 3,000 citizens Government arrested student leaders, and no democratic reforms occurred