In your own words define the term Communism.

 SWBAT identify the main political parties and leaders in China after the fall of the Qing Dynasty.  SWBAT explain the appeal of Communism and the rise of Communist leader Mao Zedong.  SWBAT evaluate Mao Zedong’s leadership and support this judgment with newly acquired knowledge.

 The Dynasty system fails after 2000 years  There is concern and conflict over China’s future  Civil War will take place until 1949  The Nationalists and Communists emerge as the 2 dominant parties

 Chiang Kai-shek becomes the leader in 1924  He stresses the importance of: 1. The individual’s responsibility to the nation (nationalism) 2. Freedom from foreign control and the concept of democracy 3. Increasing the standard of living for all people but(specifically appealed to the wealthy)  By 1928 most of China is unified under Chiang Kai-shek

 Party formed in 1921 and was led by Mao Zedong  Mao’s main goals were to: 1. Create a better life for the poor 2. Develop a modern economy 3. Restore China as a major world power  Chiang and the Nationalists eventually move against Mao and the Communists

CHIANG MAO VS.

 The Long March:  1934 Mao Zedong leads 90,000 Communists on a 6,000 mile march  This was to avoid Chiang Kai-shek’s attacks on the Communists  Under 20,000 Communists survive the March  Japan Attacks in 1937: -Forcing the Nationalists and Communists to fight together during WWII  After WWII: Civil War Resumes -Chiang’s Nationalists had low morale, no food and many corrupt leaders -Mao’s army was disciplined and unified -The Communists defeat the Nationalists in 1949 and create the “People’s Republic of China”

 Mao adopted the beliefs of German Philosopher Karl Marx to appeal to the peasant class  Mao promised land reforms and an end to landlord oppression of peasants  Mao promised an end to imperialism and to enhance China’s place in the world  Mao promoted the idea of industrialization

 Introduce land reform  Industrialize China which would return the country to world power status.

 Years of war created chaos and suffering.  People were starving and gangs roamed the land.  To fix this problem Mao turned China into a totalitarian state where the government controls every aspect of a citizen’s life.

 Drafted a new Constitution  Established a National People’s Congress  Permitted free elections  Protected democratic rights  Became a one-party dictatorship  Communist party members held all important jobs and controlled the government as well as the economy.

 People’s Liberation Army (PLA) silenced critics and enforced communism.  Mao Zedong became the chairman of the People’s republic of China.

 Under the land reform they took land from the large land owners and divided it among landless farming families.  In the 1950’s the government ended the private ownership of land altogether.  Established collective farms where peasants pooled their land, tools, and labor together.  The farmers worked for the state and would receive a share of the harvest. The rest of the harvest went to the government.

 Created programs to increase food production, built schools, and expanded health care.  People would work at government owned farms, businesses, and factories.  China’s huge population had to be fed, clothed, housed, and educated.

 Limited amount of land that was suitable for farming.  Faced floods earthquakes and droughts  China lacked the technology and capital to industrialize quickly.  Believed to build a strong economy they needed to destroy the old class system.  With the government controlling production the communists believed they could end inequality and increase output.  They could sell these goods on the world market and use the income to invest in industry.

 An effort to achieve modernization  Divided China into communes which were made up of several villages, thousands of acres of land, and as many as 20,000 people.  The commune controlled the land and the peasants’ lives.  Families were split up as men, women and children all lived in separate dormitories.  The commune assigned jobs to each person.  The people were provided with food, clothing, housing, medical care, childcare, schooling, and even recreational activities.

 People resisted the communes and sometimes even destroyed the crops.  Food production fell because millions of farmers were forced to build schools and roads.  People did not work hard because everyone was guaranteed a living.  Famine swept China from 1959 to 1961 which caused Mao to abandon the great leap forward.

 Some people blamed Mao for the famine and people began to speak out against him.  In 1966 he launched the “Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution”  During this revolution he urged people to root out capitalists.  Supporters organized the Red Guards that held rallies to support Mao and attacked people that did not support Mao.

 The Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution created chaos in China.  Schools closed and production was slowed.  1969 the Chinese army restored order and sent millions of Red Guards to faraway rural areas.

 Order was restored to a China that had been at war for years  Mao built a Totalitarian State (complete control)  Education and health care improved  China became more self-sufficient  Mao successfully used propaganda to promote communist beliefs

From what you have learned so far, do you feel Mao has been a successful communist leader of China? Explain…