Communist China 1949 Present Communist Revolution During the

Communist China 1949 – Present

Communist Revolution • During the 1920’s – 1930’s China fell into a Civil War between two competing sides: 1. The Nationalists – Led by Chiang Kai-Shek with support of the U. S. (WWII ally) 2. The Communists – Led by Mao Zedong with the support of the HUGE peasant class (remember the appeal of communism)

Communist Revolution • Unified during WWII against the Japanese, but the civil war resumed after the Japanese were defeated VS. Chiang Kai-shek Nationalists Mao Zedong Communists

Rally with your Pally • Person with the biggest “guns” goes first: – Describe to your partner who the two groups fighting for control of China are – Who are the leaders of each *be ready to answer!

Communist Revolution • Communists defeated the Nationalists in 1949 and established the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) • Mao Zedong proclaims himself Chairman Mao – leader of the PRC

What happened to the Nationalists? • Chiang Kai-shek and the Nationalists are forced to retreat to the island of Formosa • Set up a new government and called the new country Taiwan

The Great Leap Forward – 1958 -1961 • Mao’s goal was to modernize China – construction of dams, reservoirs, railroads • People gave up their land, so there was no private property and were to do collectivization (live/farm/produce together) • Plan was a failure and 50 million people starved to death

So what would come next?

Cultural Revolution 1966 - 1976 • Continue to modernize by ridding China of the “Four Olds” – Old ideas, old culture, old customs, old habits • Organized the youth into the Red Guard • They were to continue the revolutionary movement • They caused havoc and death as they traveled china, little red books in hand, attacking the “enemies” of the revolution • Destroyed anything associated with old customs – Books, monuments, museums, temples, intellectuals (beat/killed teachers, professors)…etc.

“The Little Red Book” contained quotes by Mao was carried by the Red Guard

• Person with the darkest hair goes first: – Discuss with your partner if something like this could happen here. Think: • If our president told America’s youth that they had permission to destroy anything associated with old customs or ideas, would they participate? • What types of things might get targeted?

Economic Reforms in China • New leadership in the 80 s emphasized the Four Modernizations: 1. Agriculture 2. Science 3. Industry 4. Military • Allowed some free markets (special economic zones –SEZs) to encourage growth • Social and political policies of Mao were continued under communist single-party rule – Suppressed freedoms of speech, press, voting rights, censorship…etc.

• Person with the brightest clothes on goes first: – Review with your partner: • What “olds” were destroyed in the Cultural Revolution • What was “modernized” in the next phase? • In what ways did the people continue to be oppressed as China modernized?

Attempt at Change • The youth and educated who helped make economic reforms successful also demanded political reforms – freedom of press and democracy • In 1989 a massive wave of protests erupted in many major cities across the country, including in the capital city of Beijing • Government sends in military and tanks to stop the protests and preserve the status quo

Tiananmen Square Massacre • Thousands of protesters were killed (although the “official” reports were much lower) • Put an end to the political reforms movement in China • Leads to the current “deal” = No Political freedom in exchange for economic progress – (allows economic prosperity and access to western goods – in the cities – but maintains single party communist rule)

Change and Prosperity…for some • SEZs continued to expand China grows rich through free market capitalism in the cities while under communist rule (huh? ) • Growing middle class larger the entire population of U. S. (350 m plus) • Economy relies on its cheap labor rate to attract manufacturing (check your tags!) • Peasants and laborers remain incredibly poor (Billion+)

Modern Struggles • Economic growth is slowing • Huge population (1. 5 b) causes the “one-child” policy and associated problems like infanticide and huge abandonment of girls at orphanages. (many girls are adopted by other nations). Discuss with your partner the following: • What kinds of long term problems might a one child policy create for China when you consider China’s cultural importance of the “male”

Modern Struggles • Cities are badly polluted due to unregulated manufacturing • Oppression of the people of Tibet who see the Chinese as foreign rulers

Modern Struggles Rural Sichuan roadside sign: "It is forbidden to discriminate against, mistreat or abandon baby girls. "

China Today • Spending more on its military has strained relations with U. S. , Japan, and other regional countries • Communist party continues to oppress and censor the people • China operates like two different countries in one – Open market (capitalism) and prosperity in the cities – Closed market (communism) and poverty in rural areas

Emerging Super Power and the New Arms Race

China Today • Citizens continue to demand more freedoms and clash with single-party rule • 2014 seen huge protests in Hong Kong where the policy is “one country, two systems” and the Chinese government tried to restrict voting there