History of Communist China

Chinese Civil War After decades of fighting, The Communists

defeated the Nationalist Party. Communists won the support of the

peasants in the countryside Used guerilla tactics to weaken the

Nationalists will.

People’s Republic of China In 1949, Mao proclaimed China the “People’s

Republic of China.” Nationalists, led by Chang Kia-Shek

moved to Tawain and formed their own country.

New State…New Allies Soviet Union: The Communist Government in Russia

which took power in 1917 during the Russian Revolution.

China looked to the Soviet Union for guidance on economic issues. Soviets advised China to build industry and loaned

them money to make this happen.

New Economic Direction

By 1958, Mao had become tired of Soviet guidance and rejected their advice. Too much reliance on machines and not

enough emphasis on socialist spirit of the people.

Mao called this change the Great Leap Forward.

Great Leap Forward Exploration

Website 1: Record information in you notes about the cause & effect, key details, and significance of the GLF.

Website 2: Takes notes on the reading in your activity guide.

Website 3: Explore the posters and create an anti-propaganda poster that reveals the realities of the GLF and explains its failure as a policy. Consider the reasons for the failure, what it

shows about the Communist system, human nature, and any other themes that stand out to you.

Cultural Revolution After the failure of the GLF, Mao and Communist

leadership turned their attention back to economic development.

Mao worried that too much emphasis was placed on earning money and that Communist ideals were weakening during this time period.

Cultural Revolution In 1966 Mao began a series of cultural policies to rid

China of the Four Olds and to restore a Communist Culture. Old Ideas, Old Culture, Old Customs, & Old Habits

Mao looked to the Youth to drive this revolution…He called these groups the Red Guard.

Cultural Revolution Policies

To rid China of the Four Olds, the Red Guard would attack and publicly humiliate any “enemies” of the state. Intellectuals, Party Officials who disagreed with Mao, City

Dwellers.

Destroyed any items in China associated with Western culture or Buddhist beliefs.

Mao’s Little Red Book

Mao published a book of his quotations and ideas on Communism

These quotes and principles would be the guiding force for the Red Guard and they would often parade around shouting the ideas.

Students were required to read and learn these quotes.

Examples of Quotations from The Little Red Book

On the development of Communism: “Socialism must be developed in China, and the route toward such an end is a democratic revolution, which will enable socialist and communist consolidation over a length of time. It is also important to unite with the middle peasants, and educate them on the failings of capitalism.”

On Women: “Women represent a great productive force in China, and equality among the sexes is one of the goals of communism. The multiple burdens which women must shoulder are to be eased.”

On Youth: “The Chinese Youth represent an active, vital force in China, to be drawn upon. At the same time, it is necessary to educate them, and for the Youth League to give special attention to their problems and interests.”

Effects of the Cultural Revolution

The Red Guard grew in power and became out of control.

In 1969, Mao called for the Red Guard to disband and allowed the military to take control of the country again.

Sent many youths to the countryside to learn true “communist ideals.”

My Little Red Book Mao wrote the Little Red Book and filled it with short quotes

about the nature of communism.

Your task is to write your own Little Red Book. Your book should… Include FIVE quotations that summarize lessons that you learned

about the nature of Communism, Economics, or political structures from studying Communist China.

Use poetic language. Be limited to two sentences in length.

Example: “A wise man knows that the worst leaders are those leaders who think that they are great.”