Spreading the Red Communism in China China goes
- Slides: 6
Spreading the Red Communism in China
China goes Communist �During WWII, China lost 22 million people mainly due to Japan’s occupation. Major cities were destroyed Before WWII, China had been in a civil war between communist forces under Mao Zedong and Nationalist forces under Jiang Jieshi US sent $$ and aid to Nationalists
Post-war �In 1945, the civil war picks up again. �Mao gained many peasant allies because he brought them education and food. �Nationalists retreat to Taiwan �Mainland becomes People’s Republic of China under Chairman Mao
Mandate of Heaven �Mao believed China could restore itself to former glory through hard work and sacrifice �Agrarian reforms of 1950 – landlords’ properties seized. Anyone who resisted was killed (about 1 million) �Nationalized businesses and land
5 Year Plan and Great Leap Forward �Mao’s plans to speed production 5 Year Plan in 1953 – helped to increase productivity Great Leap Forward in 1958 set up communes for farming ▪ Decreased productivity because no one was motivated to work ▪ 20 million died after famine ensued from crop failures
Cultural Revolution �Red Guard set up to bring back “commoners’” way of life Intellectuals, artists and professionals were targeted, imprisoned and even killed Promoted the peasant lifestyle
