1. Mao Zedong or Mao Tse-tung Founder of the People’s Republic of China Founder of the People’s Republic of China 1893-1976 1893-1976

2. Background Born in 1893 in Hunan Province to peasants Born in 1893 in Hunan Province to peasants Joined 1911 Revolution against Qing Dynasty emperors Joined 1911 Revolution against Qing Dynasty emperors Believed that revolution had to start with peasants Believed that revolution had to start with peasants Studied Marxism. One of original members of Chinese Communist party Studied Marxism. One of original members of Chinese Communist party

3. Early Battle for Power Communists fought against Nationalists (Kuomintang) led by Chiang Kai-shek Communists fought against Nationalists (Kuomintang) led by Chiang Kai-shek Nationalists purged and executed Communists in 1927 and continued to try and get rid of Communists through the early 1930s Nationalists purged and executed Communists in 1927 and continued to try and get rid of Communists through the early 1930s Mao and his group had escaped first purge and settled in Jiangxi province Mao and his group had escaped first purge and settled in Jiangxi province

4. 1927 “The force of the peasantry is like that of the raging winds and driving rain. It is rapidly increasing in violence. No force can stand in its way. The peasantry will tear apart all nets which bind it and hasten along the road to liberation. They will bury beneath them all forces of imperialism, militarism, corrupt officialdom, village bosses and evil gentry.” “The force of the peasantry is like that of the raging winds and driving rain. It is rapidly increasing in violence. No force can stand in its way. The peasantry will tear apart all nets which bind it and hasten along the road to liberation. They will bury beneath them all forces of imperialism, militarism, corrupt officialdom, village bosses and evil gentry.” -Mao Zedong

5. Early Battle for Power Because of Nationalist pressure, Communists had to flee. Because of Nationalist pressure, Communists had to flee. Long March. 100,000 fled Nationalists going over 6000 miles and 18 mountain ranges. Under 10,000 finished. Mao emerged as leader. Long March. 100,000 fled Nationalists going over 6000 miles and 18 mountain ranges. Under 10,000 finished. Mao emerged as leader.

6. WWII Communists united with Nationalists against their common enemy, Japan, between 1937 and 1945 Communists united with Nationalists against their common enemy, Japan, between 1937 and 1945

7. Mao’s strategies Tried to win the respect of peasants. Introduced program of land and tax reforms. Listened to problems of peasants and got support of peasants. Tried to win the respect of peasants. Introduced program of land and tax reforms. Listened to problems of peasants and got support of peasants. Tried to pay for food, respected women and helped repair war damage Tried to pay for food, respected women and helped repair war damage

8. Mao takes power Eventually, Communists win this civil war against the Nationalists Eventually, Communists win this civil war against the Nationalists Nationalists, still led by Chiang Kai-shek, flee to Taiwan and establish a government, the Republic of China, there. 13,000 square miles. Nationalists, still led by Chiang Kai-shek, flee to Taiwan and establish a government, the Republic of China, there. 13,000 square miles. Mao proclaims the People’s Republic of China in 1949. Mainland China. 3.5 million square miles Mao proclaims the People’s Republic of China in 1949. Mainland China. 3.5 million square miles United States refuses to recognize the Communist government on the mainland United States refuses to recognize the Communist government on the mainland

9. Early years Brings education and health care to peasants Brings education and health care to peasants Redistributes land. 10% of rural population owned 70% of farmland. Mao seized this land and killed about a million landlords who resisted. Gave land to peasants. Redistributes land. 10% of rural population owned 70% of farmland. Mao seized this land and killed about a million landlords who resisted. Gave land to peasants. For many, life economically improved For many, life economically improved

10. Early years Millions executed or imprisoned who disagreed with the revolution or who were landlords or seen as exploiting peasants Millions executed or imprisoned who disagreed with the revolution or who were landlords or seen as exploiting peasants 1950-51 took control of Tibet. 1950-51 took control of Tibet. Rigid controls on the press and educators Rigid controls on the press and educators

11. U.S. view Strong anti-Communist feelings in the United States Strong anti-Communist feelings in the United States Saw Communist government of China as another step in Communist desire to take over the world Saw Communist government of China as another step in Communist desire to take over the world

12. Five Year Plan Focused on economic growth, modernizing quickly, rapid buildup of industry and land reform Focused on economic growth, modernizing quickly, rapid buildup of industry and land reform Nationalized private companies Nationalized private companies Achieved some economic success Achieved some economic success Output more than doubled in heavy industry and agriculture production increased. Output more than doubled in heavy industry and agriculture production increased.

13. Great Leap Forward Begins in 1958 Moved people from small farms to huge communes. By end of 1958, 26,000 communes. Average commune had 25,000 people. Communal dining, dormitories and childcare. Moved people from small farms to huge communes. By end of 1958, 26,000 communes. Average commune had 25,000 people. Communal dining, dormitories and childcare. Demanded huge grain production increases Demanded huge grain production increases

14. Great Leap Forward

15. Crop failures caused famine Crop failures caused famine From 1959-1961 as many as 20-30 million Chinese died as a direct or indirect result of the Great Leap Forward From 1959-1961 as many as 20-30 million Chinese died as a direct or indirect result of the Great Leap Forward

16. Source "Mao Zedong." World History: The Modern Era. ABC- CLIO, 2014. Web. 5 June 2014. "Mao Zedong." World History: The Modern Era. ABC- CLIO, 2014. Web. 5 June 2014. Mazour, Anatole Gregory, and John M. Peoples. World History: People and Nations. Austin: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1993. Print. Mazour, Anatole Gregory, and John M. Peoples. World History: People and Nations. Austin: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1993. Print.