Asia after World War II Chapter 22, Part I

People’s Republic of China Established Oct. 1, 1949 Recognition Soviet Union and other Communist nations. Among the West, only Great Britain (concerned with Hong Kong) extended recognition. Was a totalitarian state ruled by the Communist Party.

Marxism-Leninism-Mao Thought Orthodox Marxism expected the Communist Revolution to begin among industrial workers. Mao Zedong adapted Marxist theology to the conditions of an underdeveloped, primarily agricultural society. It is still the official guiding philosophy behind the party and the government.

Chinese Communist Party Is organized as a hierarchy, with power concentrated at the top. Above the local units (cells) is a pyramid-like structure of party congresses culminating in the National Party Congress, which meets every 5 years. Direction of the party is in the hands of the Central Committee of about 200 members elected by the congress. The Central Committee, in turn, elects the Political Bureau of about men.

Politburo It is within the Political Bureau that power is concentrated and the highest level decisions of state are made. There is also a Secretariat that carries on the day-to-day business of the party. Prior to 1982, the highest party office was that of chairman, held for more than 25 years by Mao Zedong. That was abolished and replaced with the administrative position of general secretary to the Secretariat.

Alliance with the Soviet Union Still a weak nation and barely on its feet in 1949, China at first derived strength from its close ties with the Soviet Union. Mao went to Moscow in 1950, his first trip abroad, to help celebrate Stalin’s 70 th birthday/ The Sino-Soviet Friendship and Alliance (1950) granted Mao military assistance, provided credit, and promised tens of thousands of Soviet military and civilian experts to help China modernize its armed forces, infrastructure, and industries.

Territorial Consolidation Mao was forced by the Soviets to recognize an independent Mongolian People’s Republic. Chinese troops invaded Tibet in Mao still hoped to invade Taiwan; however, Stalin denied his requests for “volunteer pilots” and Chiang’s strong defense of Taiwan caused a delay. The U.S. had already decided not to intervene in the event of an attack on Taiwan and it seemed only a matter of time.

The Cold War Mao proclaimed that in international affairs, China would “lean to one side” (the Marxist side) China orchestrated its foreign policy to aid the international Communist movement. Examples: Aiding N. Korea and N. Vietnam. The Korean War convinced China that it needed a modern, well-equipped army. It also began developing nuclear technology in Gave up its attempts to capture Taiwan.

China: New Society Thought Reform The CCP launched a massive campaign to change China’s entire psychology. “Collective Man” -Tried to abolish old loyalties, habits, customs, culture, and patterns of thought and instill new values and obedience to the state. Social Reform New Marriage Law of 1950 enacted to eliminate the old patriarchal family.

China: New Society Land Reform The Agrarian Law of 1950 began the nationwide land reform, which erased social distinction between landlord and peasant. Economic Reform The CCP emphasized modernization through Soviet-style planning (planned economy) and received massive technological assistance from the Soviet Union. The First Five-Year Plan ( ) stressed building up heavy industry and collectivizing agriculture.

The Great Leap Forward By 1956, 90 percent of farmers were members of cooperatives, 80 percent of heavy industry and 40 percent of light industry were in government hands. But despite rapid progress, vast problems remained Great Leap Forward ( ) Mao hoped to make the jump from a socialist country to a communist society (utopia) Emphasized the need for all Chinese to be both “red and expert”

The Great Leap Forward Communes: Agricultural output was to be raised by combing the collective farms into communes. Each had about 5,000 households. Children were cared for in nurseries; everyone ate in communal dining halls. Industry: Steel production was to be increased by setting up small-scale “backyard furnaces” Relocating some industry to the countryside would enable peasant farmers to learn new techniques they could use during the off-season.

The Great Leap Forward Peasants with antique and modern machines work the fields during the Great Leap

The Great Leap Forward Great Leap Forward ( ) Brought economic disaster China lost $66 billion 30 million died from famine (worst in Chinese history) Mao’s control diminishes Mao is removed from power but retains title of chairman of the Communist Party Between 1959 and 1966, power resided in more conservative hands who tried to repair the damage done by Mao’s policies.

The Sino-Soviet Rift With the Great Leap Forward, Mao was trying to place China on a higher ideological plane than the Soviet Union and even gloated that it was ahead of the USSR in achieving a Marxist Utopia. Mao did not like Khrushchev and labeled him a “revisionist” who attacked Stalin’s memory. Mao believed in a “permanent revolution” Khrushchev repudiated that and focused on revolutionary stages and the leadership role of the party.

The Sino-Soviet Rift Mao wanted the Communist bloc to challenge the capitalist West; Khrushchev believed in peaceful coexistence. Khrushchev, who was trying to raise living standards in the USSR, was reluctant to give China the help they needed during the Great Leap disaster. Also refused to give them a prototype atomic bomb. By 1960, the relationship had deteriorated and the Soviets removed all its 1,390 experts and advisors from China.