The Struggle for Power in China after 1976 IB History: Communism in Crisis

About the Unit... In the unit we will compare how the two largest communist countries in the history of the world, the Soviet Union and China, dealt with problems that challenged both communism and thus their existence. Topics Introduction Soviet Economy and Politics Soviet Economy and Politics under Gorbachev Gorbachev, Cold War, and Eastern Europe China and Struggle for power after 1976 Chinese Economy and Politics under Deng Xiaoping Communism from Crisis to Collapse

Power Struggle... Mao Zedong’s illness and death in 1976 left a power struggle for control over the Chinese Communist Party and Chinese Government which was eventually won by Deng Xiaoping. This radically changed China’s approach to Communism away from the Soviet Model. In 1949 Mao leads the Chinese Communist Party to victory in the Chinese Civil War and founds the people’s republic of China. In 1958 Mao introduced “The Great Leap Forward” which was intended to modernize China’s economy, but after economic problems resulted Liu Shaoqui and Deng Xiaoping introduced economic policies that undid Mao’s reforms. From 1962 to 1969 Mao decided to oppose these new economic reforms and bolster support for communism with his “Socialist Education” movement and “Cultural Revolution” movement in which both Liu Shaoqui and Deng Xiaoping were removed from power. As Mao’s health began to decline a power struggle began between “The Gang of Four” (Mao’s wife and three of his closest advisors), Deng Xiaoping, and Hua Guofeng. Following Mao’s death in 1976 Hua Guofeng assumed power arresting “The Gang of Four” and reinstating Deng Xiaoping to a position of power. By 1980 Deng’s supporters and his power grew within the Chinese Communist Party and in 1981 Hua Guofeng resigned leaving Deng Xiaoping as the leader of China.

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Summary Mao Zedong’s illness and death in 1976 left a power struggle for control over the Chinese Communist Party and Chinese Government which was eventually won by Deng Xiaoping. This radically changed China’s approach to Communism away from the Soviet Model.