Mao 1949 1954 Subtitle Pre 1949 key facts

Mao 1949 -1954 Subtitle

Pre 1949 key facts to remember MAO and the Communists Chiang Kai-Shek & Nationalists Support of the peasants in the countryside Led single party state for 10 years prior to Maoknown for harsh reprisals Support of the capitalists and police esp in the citiesknown for their corruption and failed resistance against Japanese Fewer troops but skilled in guerilla warfare Larger army Not good at working with foreign powers, not supported by United Nations Supported foreign countries like USA eventhough USA critical of Chiang’s policies

Mao’s Communism Importance of Peasants-masses could overthrow previous society— in 1949 80% of China was composed of poor agricultural workers in the countryside Mass Mobilization and volunteerism– learn from the people—encourage through propaganda, the people to support the party from within as if party working for best interests of everyone Continuous Revolution-constant process of renewal to avoid complacency and corruption Self Criticism of party officials to prevent bourgeoisie values Ruthless determination—will power and determination enough to bring about change—everyone always show total commitment to state and party —violence if necessary Primacy of Mao Zedong Thought— think little Red Book-Mao is always right and people can find the solution to any problem if they study his words

Government • Temporary Constitution of 1949 • Not democratic as western model • • Peasants and lower level bourgeoisie given rights Some groups excluded: elite landlords, wealthy businessmen, ex. Nationalists Few opportunities to vote Other parties allowed to exist but Communists dominate • Military in control of six national districts • Most previous bureaucrats allowed to keep jobs

Government • Constitution of 1954 • Mao head of government and party • Most leaders were communist, if not assisted by party member • Organization of the Chinese people-everyone required to meet regularly, listen to, and comment on policies

• Unified China by force • • Identified ethnic minorities and put under military control Tibet offered some resistance and Han Chinese were moved into their lands to eradicate the Tibetan culture • Increased living standards 1949 -1954 • • • Lowered inflation Lowered government corruption and crime Party regulars were rewarded with “iron rice bowl” guaranteed employment

Mass mobilization and purges 1949 -54 • Citizens encouraged to inform on others • Targeted the intelligentsia – 1951 6500 were sent to courses to learn Communism • Imprisoned artists who did not support party

Mass mobilization Campaigns 1949 -54 �Resist USA and aid Korea 1950 • Rallies to encourage suspicion of foreigners • Arrested foreigners • Closed Christian churches • Closed China to foreigners (except Russians) • Suppression of Counter-revolutionaries Campaign 1950 -51 • Focused on Nationalists, criminals and religious sects • Three Antis Campaign 1951 • Against corruption, waste and obstruction against both communists and non- communists • Humiliation used to bring into line • Five Antis Campaign 1952 • Against bribery, tax evasion, theft of state property, cheating government • Workers investigated employers—against capitalists! • Two to three million committed suicide following the humiliation

Purges • 1949 -54 Gao Gang & Rao Shushi • leading members of CCP • Ambitious members of CCP who together tried to take top positions in party • Both accused of “underground activities” • • Gao committed suicide rather than face humiliation Rao Shushi imprisoned until death in 1975 • Increased purges during the Cultural Revolution 1966 -76 • Purged Mao’s rivals-Group of Five

Land Reform-application of communism to agriculture � 1950 - “Dig the bitter roots, vomit the bitter waters”—land reform from within-led by peasants �Encouraged peasants to turn on landlords-executing them on the spot �Redistribute land to the poor �As many as two million landowners killed (though Mao only claimed 800, 000) �New farms too small for efficiency so government advocated farmers work together � 1952 grain production 10% higher than 1936 �By 1953, 40% of peasant households belonged to “mutual aid teams” �By 1956 most villages had formed collectives � 1958 -Collectivization and the Great Leap Forward �Larger communes—end of private farming all production directed by CCP �Peasants lacked agricultural knowledge to farm on large scale �Man-made famine results in 30 million dead

Industrialization �Soviet Model after Stalin’s Russia � 5 Year Plans-1953 -1957 � Goal-speed up industrial production � All private industries to be nationalized � Machinery and chemical production given priority � Infrastructure built—roads, railways, canals to link cities to coal, oil and iron ore deposits �First time China producing own cars, tractors, airplanes, ships and penicillin �Urban populations rose from 57 million in 1949 to 100 million in 1957 �Followed by Great Leap Forward 1958�Abandon Soviet model in favor of mass campaign combining agricultural and industrial production � assert independence from Russia and independence of China

Improved Living Conditions • Mass Mobilization of health standards • Improved education for children and adults • In 1949 only 10% of China was literate by 1976 70% literate • Improvements in education • Simplified Mandarin script– by 1964 Pinyin only had 2238 characters! • Primary schools in most towns • Used textbooks and schools as means of propaganda to indoctrinate young • However— • always tension between basic education and bourgeoisie values • Education never compulsory or free • Wide range of quality of schools-best for party officials’ kids • Women • End footbinding, concubines and arranged marriages • Allowed divorce if either man or woman wanted • Childcare, education, right to vote, land ownership, communes freed women of all household responsibilities