Mao Zedong and the Chinese Revolution

Republic of China The Dynasty had ruled China since the 1600s. It was over thrown by Chinese nationalist in 1912. The new government was known as the Republic of China led by Sun Yixian. Sun Yixian vowed to end foreign control over Chinese affairs.

The government was not able to bring order to China or help its people. Many people were killed by robbers and thieves roaming the countryside. Agriculture was failing and the country faced famine. WWI pulled the attention away from China’s problems.

After the War European politicians signed the Treaty of Verailles which restored the government with Sun Yixian leading the country. Japan was also given some of China’s territory.

Birth of the Chinese Communist Party Many young Chinese were angry about the treaty. They wanted to end what they felt was a failed government of Sun Yixian. They began looking at Russia and their Communist Revolution as an alternative to western democracy.

In 1921, a group of young Chinese men including a young teacher, Mao Zedong, met to form the Chinese Communist Party.

Nationalist Republic of China After Sun Yixian’s death the new head of government, Jiang Jieshi, tried to make an alliance with the Chinese Communist Party. The two groups worked together for some years to bring order to China. Jiang Jieshi and his government later turned on the communist and many were killed. 1929 – The Chinese government became known as the Nationalist Republic of China.

Jiang Jieshi AKA: Chiang Kai-shek

Civil War in China Mao Zedong survived the attack on the communist. He relocated his communist party to the countryside and rallied the support of the peasants. Civil war broke out between Mao’s communist and Jiang Jieshi’s Nationalist government.

1933 – Mao and 600,000 followers escaped defeat from the Nationalist government by heading into the mountainside. The 6,000 mile journey was known as the Long March. There was a temporary truce during World War II while both sides fought to keep the Japanese from taking over China.

The Long March

People’s Republic of China When WWII was over the Civil War started up again. Mao’s army was now known as the Red Army. In 1949 the Red Army defeated the Nationalist government. Oct. 1949 – Mao proclaimed the creation of the People’s Republic of China. (a communist government)