Maos China A revolution is not a dinner

Mao’s China: “A revolution is not a dinner party. . . ”

• “A revolution is not a dinner party, or writing an essay, or painting a picture, or doing embroidery; it cannot be so refined, so leisurely and gentle, so temperate, kind, courteous, restrained and magnanimous. A revolution is an insurrection, an act of violence by which one class overthrows another. ”

Geographical Changes • Communist China gained control over: – Chinese – Turkestan (Xinjiang) – Inner Mongolia – Manchuria – Tibet PRC = People’s Republic of China (Communists) / ROC = Republic of China (Nationalists)

China under Mao Having defeated the Guomindang, Mao set about building a Communist China. His first concern was rebuilding a country that had been torn apart by years of civil war. Rebuilding China • Communist ideology shaped new government • Change in China’s political, economic systems • Government discouraged practice of religion Development First Plan • Also seized property of rural landowners, redistributed among peasants • 1957, first plan doubled China’s small industrial output • Put in place Sovietstyle five-year plans for industrial development • Early efforts to build economy successful • Improved economy, reduced poverty

• China Modeled on Soviet Union • Soviet Union provided financial support, aid in China’s first years • China modeled many of its new political, economic, military policies on Soviet system • 1950 s, territorial disputes, differences in ideology pushed China away from Soviet ally Improvements in literacy rates, public health • Chinese life expectancy increased sharply over next few decades • Improvements came at a cost – To consolidate Communist control over China, government soon began to eliminate so-called “enemies of the state” who had spoken out against government’s policies – Many thousands—including public officials, business leaders, artists, writers— killed, or sent to labor camps

So, overall was the first 5 yr plan a success or a failure?

• All health care was free • Western and traditional healthcare were practiced.

“Women hold up half the sky!”