A Communist Nation China under Mao Zedong

World War II China was brutally occupied by the Japanese army throughout the war Allied victory in 1945 led Japanese troops to withdraw Civil war between Nationalists and Communists resumed

Competing Chinese visionaries… Chiang Kai-shek Mao Zedong

The Communist Victory Mao’s forces triumphed over the Nationalists in 1949 People’s Republic of China became the world’s second communist nation Nationalists forces escaped to the island of Taiwan and established the Republic of China

Mao’s Plans Wants a “new” China. Increase agricultural productivity. Eliminate private ownership. Establish collectives.

Great Leap Forward - 1958 Combined 700,000 collectives into 26,000 People’s Communes. Pop. About 25,000 Had farms & industry Communist Party officials decided what to produce and who would receive what.

Mao visits peasants in the countryside, encouraging them to collectivize

Some of the Great Famine victims, 1958-1961

It was a failure. No incentive for hard work. Production fell. Environmentally damaging.

Reaction to Mao. On one side, Mao is heavily criticized. “A donkey is slow, but at least it rarely has an accident.” Deng Xiaoping - advisor to Mao

Great Cultural Revolution Response to the Great Leap Forward. Began in 1966, ended in 1969. Designed to smash the old order and bring in a new, socialist society. Unleashed the Red Guard. Radical young men & women highly idealistic and loyal to Mao.

Task of the Red Guard Destroy the 4 Olds: Old Ideology Old Thought Old Habits Old Customs

Who was Targeted? Disagree with Mao Writers Teachers Artists Those who were not killed were sent to the country to work as peasants…or they were imprisoned.

Statues of the Buddha and other religious objects are burned

Enormous Failure Innocents were jailed or fled to the countryside. Farm production fell Schools closed Economy fell apart Lack of educated, skilled workers made economic recovery difficult.

The End of this Revolution Destruction was so great that Mao declared an end to The Cultural Revolution in 1969. Called for the army to disband the Red Guard.

Results Resulted in a ruined economy. Hundreds of thousands had been beaten or jailed. Left a very undereducated generation.

The Cult of Mao

Poster demonstrating the “personality cult” of Mao created during the Cultural Revolution

Reform Begins Mao died in 1976 Deng Xioping set out to modernize the country Free market reforms were adopted Communist Party retained a monopoly on political power