China, Mao & the cultural Revolution Ms. Mitchell Cultural Revolutions Andover High School

China: A VERY Brief History of What You Need To Know (for our class)

Geography Natural Resources: coal, iron ore, petroleum, natural gas, mercury, tin, tungsten, antimony, manganese, molybdenum, vanadium, magnetite, aluminum, lead, zinc, uraniumNatural Resources: coal, iron ore, petroleum, natural gas, mercury, tin, tungsten, antimony, manganese, molybdenum, vanadium, magnetite, aluminum, lead, zinc, uranium World’s Largest Hydropower potentialWorld’s Largest Hydropower potential Typhoons, floods, earthquakes, tsunamis, droughtsTyphoons, floods, earthquakes, tsunamis, droughts Air pollution, water pollution, deforestation, soil erosion, desertificationAir pollution, water pollution, deforestation, soil erosion, desertification

People and Society Many ethnic groups and languagesMany ethnic groups and languages Religions: Daosim, Buddism, Christianity, and IslamReligions: Daosim, Buddism, Christianity, and Islam Largest population in world with over 1.3 billion people.Largest population in world with over 1.3 billion people. Life expectancy of roughly 75 years (US is 79.5 years)Life expectancy of roughly 75 years (US is 79.5 years) 92% literacy (96% male, 88.5% female) (US lit rate is 99%)92% literacy (96% male, 88.5% female) (US lit rate is 99%)

Government People’s Republic of ChinaPeople’s Republic of China Communist stateCommunist state Capital: BeijingCapital: Beijing Divided into provinces, autonomous regions and municipalitiesDivided into provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities Civil LawCivil Law Universal Suffrage at age 18Universal Suffrage at age 18

Government Chief of State: President President Xi Jinping (pronounced “Shi”); Vice President: Li YuanchaoChief of State: President President Xi Jinping (pronounced “Shi”); Vice President: Li Yuanchao Head of Government: Premier Li Kequiang (since March 16, 2013), (formerly Premier Wen Jiabo) & 4 Vice-PremiersHead of Government: Premier Li Kequiang (since March 16, 2013), (formerly Premier Wen Jiabo) & 4 Vice-Premiers President/VP elected by National People’s Congress for 5 year termPresident/VP elected by National People’s Congress for 5 year term Premier nominated by president and confirmed by NPCPremier nominated by president and confirmed by NPC

Economy 2 nd largest economy in the world2 nd largest economy in the world Before late 1970s: Closed, centrally planned systemBefore late 1970s: Closed, centrally planned system Late 1970s to present day: Market-oriented, plays a global roleLate 1970s to present day: Market-oriented, plays a global role Largest exporter of goods in the worldLargest exporter of goods in the world Agriculture (36.7%), Industry (28.7%), Services (34.6%)Agriculture (36.7%), Industry (28.7%), Services (34.6%) 4.1% unemployment4.1% unemployment

Transnational issues Positive relations with the US, maintain embassiesPositive relations with the US, maintain embassies Border/Land disputes with India, Bhutan, JapanBorder/Land disputes with India, Bhutan, Japan Human Trafficking, HeroinHuman Trafficking, Heroin

Contemporary issues One-Child Policy: to help deal with populationOne-Child Policy: to help deal with population China is one of of the top ten countries Americans adopt from, in large part because of this policyChina is one of of the top ten countries Americans adopt from, in large part because of this policy Males preferred; Influx of female babies available for adoptionMales preferred; Influx of female babies available for adoption InfanticideInfanticide Sex Selective AbortionsSex Selective Abortions 114:100 male to female ratio114:100 male to female ratio Exceptions:Exceptions: Rich can buy waiversRich can buy waivers Urban/ruralUrban/rural Parents are only-childrenParents are only-children Disabilities or problemsDisabilities or problems

Contemporary issues Imprisonment of JournalistsImprisonment of Journalists Amnesty International claims China has more imprisoned journalists and “cyber dissidents” than anywhere in the worldAmnesty International claims China has more imprisoned journalists and “cyber dissidents” than anywhere in the world CensorshipCensorship “If you open the window for fresh air, you have to expect a few flies to blow in”“If you open the window for fresh air, you have to expect a few flies to blow in” Internet policeInternet police Websites blockedWebsites blocked Individual monitoringIndividual monitoring China based websites cannot link to overseas newsChina based websites cannot link to overseas news

“After World War II, the Communists under Mao Zedong established an autocratic socialist system that, while ensuring China's sovereignty, imposed strict controls over everyday life and cost the lives of tens of millions of people.” --CIA World Factbook

1949 Communist Party takes over ChinaCommunist Party takes over China Sweeping social changesSweeping social changes Previous rulers and intellectuals labeled as “black elements” or “rightist”Previous rulers and intellectuals labeled as “black elements” or “rightist” People discontented by China’s economic and political changes.People discontented by China’s economic and political changes. Cultural Revolution would give their discontented a time/way to air their grievances and an avenue to oppose China’s new power structureCultural Revolution would give their discontented a time/way to air their grievances and an avenue to oppose China’s new power structure

Great leap forward 1957, Mao Zedong calls for an increase in the speed of growth of “actual socialism”1957, Mao Zedong calls for an increase in the speed of growth of “actual socialism” Established special communes in the countryside through collective labor and mass mobilization.Established special communes in the countryside through collective labor and mass mobilization. Intended to increase production of steel and raise agricultural levels.Intended to increase production of steel and raise agricultural levels.

Problems with the GLF Peasants produced too much steel and other areas were neglected.Peasants produced too much steel and other areas were neglected. Peasantry and farmers did not know how to make steel and were not given the proper tools and machinery.Peasantry and farmers did not know how to make steel and were not given the proper tools and machinery.

Problems, cntd. Farming and household items were melted down to produce enough ore for the steel production.Farming and household items were melted down to produce enough ore for the steel production. Flip side of this meant agricultural production was slowed down.Flip side of this meant agricultural production was slowed down. The snowball effect was a decline in production of most goods (other than steel).The snowball effect was a decline in production of most goods (other than steel). Though steel production dramatically increased, poorly trained workers and a lack of materials led to most of the steel being useless.Though steel production dramatically increased, poorly trained workers and a lack of materials led to most of the steel being useless. In order to appear patriotic or supportive of the party, peasants would report grossly unrealistic production numbers, exacerbating the problem.In order to appear patriotic or supportive of the party, peasants would report grossly unrealistic production numbers, exacerbating the problem.

Example A farming community produces 20 tons of rice.A farming community produces 20 tons of rice. In order to appease Mao and the government they report producing 40 tons.In order to appease Mao and the government they report producing 40 tons. Government comes in and says, “Great! Now we take 50%, and you keep 50% to feed your people. 50% of 40 tons is 20 tons. Thank you so much for doing your part!”Government comes in and says, “Great! Now we take 50%, and you keep 50% to feed your people. 50% of 40 tons is 20 tons. Thank you so much for doing your part!” Community is left with nothing to feed themselves because they only had 20 tons to begin with.Community is left with nothing to feed themselves because they only had 20 tons to begin with.

Famine Over a 3-4 year period a combination of food shortages, climactic conditions, and natural disasters put the death toll at approximately 38 million people.Over a 3-4 year period a combination of food shortages, climactic conditions, and natural disasters put the death toll at approximately 38 million people. All the while China was exporting grain to save face with the outside world.All the while China was exporting grain to save face with the outside world.

Mao loses power Liu Shaoqi puts an end to many of the GLF’s policies that led to the famine and other disasters.Liu Shaoqi puts an end to many of the GLF’s policies that led to the famine and other disasters. Ends rural communesEnds rural communes Restores older economic policiesRestores older economic policies Reforms were successful and Liu won supporters in the public and in the partyReforms were successful and Liu won supporters in the public and in the party With the help of Deng Xiaoping, Liu slowly begins to retire Mao from real power and turn him into a figurehead.With the help of Deng Xiaoping, Liu slowly begins to retire Mao from real power and turn him into a figurehead. Mao creates the Socialist Education Movement in 1963 to try to keep some support.Mao creates the Socialist Education Movement in 1963 to try to keep some support.

Cultural Revolution Launched by Mao Zedong on May 16, 1966.Launched by Mao Zedong on May 16, Also called the Great Proletarian RevolutionAlso called the Great Proletarian Revolution Struggle for power with the Communist Party.Struggle for power with the Communist Party. Mao had begun to lose power and was attempting to regain controlMao had begun to lose power and was attempting to regain control Grew to include much of society and brought the country to the brink of civil war.Grew to include much of society and brought the country to the brink of civil war. Mao officially declared the Cultural Revolution over in 1969, though many use the term to include the time between 1969 and 1976 as well.Mao officially declared the Cultural Revolution over in 1969, though many use the term to include the time between 1969 and 1976 as well.

“A great revolution that touches people to their very souls and constitutes a new stage in the development of the socialist revolution in our country, a deeper and more extensive stage”

The message Though the bourgeoisie had been overthrown in the late 1940s, their outdated ideas, culture, customs, and habits were trying to corrupt the masses, capture their minds, ad endeavor to stage a comebackThough the bourgeoisie had been overthrown in the late 1940s, their outdated ideas, culture, customs, and habits were trying to corrupt the masses, capture their minds, ad endeavor to stage a comeback The proletariat must meet head-on every challenge of the bourgeoisie class through the use of new ideas, cultures, customs, and habits.The proletariat must meet head-on every challenge of the bourgeoisie class through the use of new ideas, cultures, customs, and habits. The proletariat is responsible for changing the mental outlook of the whole society.The proletariat is responsible for changing the mental outlook of the whole society.

The Message, cntd. Objective is to struggle against and crush people in positions of authority who are promoting capitalism and the bourgeois academics.Objective is to struggle against and crush people in positions of authority who are promoting capitalism and the bourgeois academics. Transform education, literature, art (and any other areas other than the economic base) so as to make sure the socialist system exists in every area of life.Transform education, literature, art (and any other areas other than the economic base) so as to make sure the socialist system exists in every area of life.

The Red Guard Students for MaoStudents for Mao Started by passing out leaflets, publically posting the names of counter revolutionaries, and producing educational plays about the benefits of socialism.Started by passing out leaflets, publically posting the names of counter revolutionaries, and producing educational plays about the benefits of socialism. Though never officially condoned by the party, “verbal struggles” between Red Guards and counter revolutionaries often became violent.Though never officially condoned by the party, “verbal struggles” between Red Guards and counter revolutionaries often became violent. Only after the Red Guards seize government weapons to use against their “enemies” did the government start to disband themOnly after the Red Guards seize government weapons to use against their “enemies” did the government start to disband them

Down to the Countryside December 1968, Mao begins the “Down to the Countryside Movement” (Lasted about a decade)December 1968, Mao begins the “Down to the Countryside Movement” (Lasted about a decade) Young intellectuals living in the city ordered/forced to move to the countryside to become “re-educated” (Approx. 12 million)Young intellectuals living in the city ordered/forced to move to the countryside to become “re-educated” (Approx. 12 million) Re-education involved having to work on the land and essentially fend for themselves. Often unwelcomed and resented by the communities they were forced to live in.Re-education involved having to work on the land and essentially fend for themselves. Often unwelcomed and resented by the communities they were forced to live in. This was in some ways a quiet way of getting rid of the Red Guard members.This was in some ways a quiet way of getting rid of the Red Guard members.

Balzac and the little Chinese Seamstress By Dai Sije

Characters Major Narrator (never gets a name)Narrator (never gets a name) Luo (NOT Lou. He’s not a plumber from Cincinnati.)Luo (NOT Lou. He’s not a plumber from Cincinnati.) The Little Seamstress (never get a real name either)The Little Seamstress (never get a real name either) Four Eyes (because he wears glasses)Four Eyes (because he wears glasses) Minor The tailorThe tailor The janitor/custodianThe janitor/custodian The Old MillerThe Old Miller Four Eyes’ motherFour Eyes’ mother The doctorThe doctor The village leader/party officialThe village leader/party official

Plot Follows two young men during their re-education process in a rural mountain community.Follows two young men during their re-education process in a rural mountain community. The boys come into possession of banned books and through these books become educated in the ways of the world the the Cultural Revolution is keeping them from.The boys come into possession of banned books and through these books become educated in the ways of the world the the Cultural Revolution is keeping them from.

Major ideas Power of literature/importance of storytellingPower of literature/importance of storytelling Freedom (of movement, of thought, from oppression, of religion)Freedom (of movement, of thought, from oppression, of religion) HypocrisyHypocrisy OppressionOppression LoveLove FriendshipFriendship

Works Cited China: A Century of Revolution Film. 1 Aug China: A Century of Revolution Film. 1 Aug "Chinese Posters.net." Cultural Revolutions Campaigns ( ). N.p., 02 Jan Web. 11 Feb "Chinese Posters.net." Cultural Revolutions Campaigns ( ). N.p., 02 Jan Web. 11 Feb "Internet censorship in the People's Republic of China." Internet_censorship_in_the_People's_Republic_of_China."Internet censorship in the People's Republic of China." Internet_censorship_in_the_People's_Republic_of_China. Internet_censorship_in_the_People's_Republic_of_China Internet_censorship_in_the_People's_Republic_of_China United States. Central Intelligence Agency. World Factbook. Web..United States. Central Intelligence Agency. World Factbook. Web..