History & Development of Chinese Political Culture

Impact of Geography 3rd largest nation in the world (land surface) Supports the world’s largest population (1.3 billion)

Impact of Geography Demographics 1.) Rugged terrain in the west, created population centers in the more favorable lands of the east 2.) Geographic/climatic differences splits north and south

Impact of Geography Illustration - Location of China’s Dynasties

Impact of Geography 3.) China’s Isolation from the World Mountain ranges, deserts, and oceans create an ‘island effect’ of China from the rest of the world

Important Time Periods of China 1) Dynastic China For over 3,600 years China was ruled by authoritarian emperors; people as subjects

Important Time Periods of China 1) Dynastic China For over 3,600 years China was ruled by authoritarian emperors; people as subjects Emperors’ legitimacy was established through the Mandate of Heaven (Right to Rule; God’s favor) Government/Political change occurred according to the Dynastic Cycle (handout)

Important Time Periods of China 1) Dynastic China Mandate of Heaven & the Dynastic Cycle

Important Time Periods of China 1) Dynastic China The philosophy of Confucianism greatly shaped Chinese politics Confucian Principles Strong family loyalty Ancestor worship Respect of Elders by the Young Order & Harmony Emphasis on knowledge & acceptance Democratic Centralism? Confucius Chinese thinker and social philosopher during the 6th century B.C.E.

Important Time Periods of China 2) Zhongguo – “The Middle Kingdom” (Geographically China developed relatively isolated) Middle Kingdom (central country) – the belief that China was the center of civilization Resisted Imperialism movement Foreigners were seen as barbarians/devils and had little to offer ‘superior’ China Developed Strong Chinese Nationalistic Pride Role in Foreign Exploration – Little/No Chinese Involvement

Important Time Periods of China 3) Republic of China The Qing Dynasty was devastated by foreign influence, internal rebellions and famine. Republic of China (1912-1949) Chinese reformers ended the dynastic rule of China 2 Different Directions (Chinese Civil War) Chiang Kai-shek tried to transform China into a modern, democratic state Mao Zedong tried to instill Communism in China “The Long March” After Japanese rule ended after WWII, Mao and the Communists eventually prevailed

Important Time Periods of China 4) People’s Republic of China (1949-1996) The Communist PRC was led by Mao Zedong How did Mao’s view of Communism differ from Marx’s and Lenin’s/Soviets’? Mao’s Communist China was much more egalitarian than Soviet Russia and based on the strength of the peasant farmer/worker

Important Time Periods of China 4) People’s Republic of China (1949-1996) 3 Phases The Soviet Model (1949-1957) U.S.S.R. supported Chinese Communism Encouraged land reform (re-distribution) and 5-year plans of industrialization and collectivization The Great Leap Forward (1958-1966) Mao wanted Chinese independence from U.S.S.R. and wanted to create an egalitarian society De-centralized power, ‘people’ in charge of government, emphasized agricultural development Mao’s Great Leap Forward was ultimately unsuccessful

Important Time Periods of China 4) People’s Republic of China (1949-1996) 3 Phases 3. The Cultural Revolution (1966-1976) An aggressive reform plan whose main goal was to remove all vestiges of old China Included radical political, social, and economic change based on Mao’s Core Philosophies (handout)

Mao Zedong’s Core Philosophies 1.) Ethic of Struggle Encouraged the people to actively pursue the values of socialism, something that would require struggle and devotion 2.) Mass Line A line of communication between party leaders, members, and peasants. Teaching and listening was every level’s responsibility 3.) Collectivism Valuing the good of the community above that of the individual 4.) Egalitarianism Equality; opposite of traditional organization of Chinese/Confucian societies 5.) Self-Reliance Don’t rely on government/elites, people should rely on their own talents to contribute

Important Time Periods of China 4) People’s Republic of China (1949-1996) 3 Phases 3. The Cultural Revolution (1966-1976) An aggressive reform plan that included radical political, social, and economic change based on Mao’s Core Philosophies (handout) Allowed for some market-oriented polices Tried to remove all vestiges of old China, its hierarchical bureaucracy, and inequality Ex.) Scholars worked in the fields, universities & libraries were destroyed; everyone received basic education (read & write) nothing more.

Important Time Periods of China 5) Deng Xiaoping’s Modernizations (1978-1997) Turned around the Chinese economy through socialist planning and capitalist free market “It doesn’t matter whether a cat is white or black, as long as it catches mice” Four Modernizations – focused on industry, agriculture, science, and the military Open Door Trade Policy Reforms in Education (reversal of Cultural Revolution) Institutionalization of the Revolution Restoring legal system and bureaucracy of ‘old China’; decentralizing government, infusion capitalism