Mao’s China: “A revolution is not a dinner party...”
“A revolution is not a dinner party, or writing an essay, or painting a picture, or doing embroidery; it cannot be so refined, so leisurely and gentle, so temperate, kind, courteous, restrained and magnanimous. A revolution is an insurrection, an act of violence by which one class overthrows another.”
Geographical Changes Communist China gained control over: – Chinese – Turkestan (Xinjiang) – Inner Mongolia – Manchuria – Tibet PRC = People’s Republic of China (Communists) / ROC = Republic of China (Nationalists)
Having defeated the Guomindang, Mao set about building a Communist China. His first concern was rebuilding a country that had been torn apart by years of civil war. Communist ideology shaped new government Change in China’s political, economic systems Government discouraged practice of religion Rebuilding China Also seized property of rural landowners, redistributed among peasants Put in place Soviet- style five-year plans for industrial development Development 1957, first plan doubled China’s small industrial output Early efforts to build economy successful Improved economy, reduced poverty First Plan China under Mao
China Modeled on Soviet Union Soviet Union provided financial support, aid in China’s first years China modeled many of its new political, economic, military policies on Soviet system 1950s, territorial disputes, differences in ideology pushed China away from Soviet ally Improvements in literacy rates, public health Chinese life expectancy increased sharply over next few decades Improvements came at a cost – To consolidate Communist control over China, government soon began to eliminate so-called “enemies of the state” who had spoken out against government’s policies – Many thousands—including public officials, business leaders, artists, writers— killed, or sent to labor camps
So, overall was the first 5 yr plan a success or a failure?
All health care was free Western and traditional healthcare were practiced.
“Women hold up half the sky!”