Slide 1

Revolution in Chinaand Communist China

This presentation relies heavily on a power point created by Dan McDowell. Teaching Point, ©2003

Slide 2

Chinese Economic Development

• Foreign economic influence was eliminated – most foreigners were kicked out of China

• A Soviet style 5 year plan was implemented to encourage industrialization.

• Large pieces of land were redistributed to peasant farmers.

• (These efforts had limited success.)

Slide 3

Great Leap Forward• 10 years later, Mao’s

government took back all land through collectivization

• State-controlled collective farms were created

• Some city-dwellers were moved along with peasants onto collective farms.

Slide 4

Great Leap Forward

• Mao’s gov attempted industrialization through “backyard steel mills”

Slide 5

Great Leap Forward

• The plans failed miserably – famine caused over 20 million deaths, steel production dropped drastically, the program ended early, and Mao’s power was reduced

Slide 6

Chinese Social Class Changes

• Wealthy upper class (including ruling families) was removed.

• Landowning class was destroyed.

• Intellectuals attacked• Working class

officially the only class

Slide 7

Social ClassCommunist Party Leaders• Became the new upper

classMilitary Leaders• Continued to be in the

upper classWorkers (especially rural

workers• Gained status (yet

economic conditions deteriorated)

Slide 8

Women’s Status Improved“Women hold up half the sky.”

• Foot-binding ended and arranged marriages were limited

• Women could hold professions, join the army, and serve in the government.

• “Legal equality” with men.

Slide 9

Women’s Status Improved?

• Women were working outside of the home AND still responsible for the home and childcare.

• Traditional emphasis on men as “superior” continued.

Slide 10

Cultural Revolution

1960s• Mao wished to regain

power he lost in the Great Leap Forward and create another revolutionary movement.

• Created The Red Guard from the Chinese youth – students, peasants, & soldiers

Slide 11

Slide 12

Cultural Revolution

• Red Guard attacked people in positions of power or privilege who publicly disagreed with Mao.

• Any “suspects” were imprisoned or forced into labor in rural areas.

Slide 13

Cultural Revolution• Traditional culture and

education were destroyed.

• Cult of personality formed around Mao

• Eventually military leaders supported ending cultural revolution in fear that it would get out of control.