COLD WAR PROJECT:CHINA BECOMING COMMUNIST & MAO ZEDONGBy: Justice Gessert

MAO ZEDONG

Chinese Revolutionary Leader of the Chinese

Revolution Founding Father of the

People’s Republic of China

Led the Communist Party of China

The Great Leap Forward & the Cultural Revolution caused a lot of economic problems.

BEFORE COMMUNISM China had been in a

war with the Japanese for 20 years

Mao claimed to be running a coalition government

Lots of economic problems Had little industry Money was Valueless High Unemployment Food shortages Overpopulated

AGRARIAN REFORM LAW Officials went around,

confiscated land from landowners and redistributed it.

This put land in the wrong hands.

Because of this law many landowners were found guilty of many crimes against their peasants and more than 1 million ex-landlords were executed.

Landlords that weren’t executed were sent to “re-education” camps.

By 1951 the land revolution. By the time it was over the

major people who would speak out against communism were either dead or “re-educated.”

CHANGE IN CHINA

Divorce was easier to get.

Polygamy, prostitution and killing of unwanted female babies was banned.

Marriage Reform Law Banned arranged

marriages Cities changed

No cars No foreigners No foreign business

Controlled inflation by fixing wages and prices.

All private banks were shut down and a state bank was started.

To receive a loan from a bank the company had to have the support of the Communist Party.

Small businesses could stay open to boost economy.

THE THREE ANTIS CAMPAIGN

Started in 1951. Was created as a result of

the Korean War. Targeted communist

cadres that became to close to China’s Capitalists.

Most of the victims of the Three-Antis Campaign were humiliated and terrified.

Others were killed or sent to labor camps.

The Five-Antis Campaign was made for the Capitalists.

SPEAKING OUT

Those who spoke out faced serious consequences: Death Prison “Reformed”

TRANSITION TO SOCIALISM The First Five Year Plan

Stressed development of heavy industry

Based on the Soviet Unions five year plan

China had a lot of needs: Food Domestic capital for

investment Technology, capital

equipment, military hardware Began to collectivize

agriculture. Government nationalized

banking, trade and industry. Private enterprise was

abolished

THE GREAT LEAP FORWARD Took Place in 1958 Mao’s attempt to

modernize China After a tour of China he

decided that they should focus mainly on agriculture and industry

China was reformed to Communes more than 5,000

families lived in one commune

Communes provided everything for families

Ended disastrously

THE GREAT PROLETARIAN CULTURAL REVOLUTION

Designed to advance socialism by removing capitalist elements from society.

Wanted to reinstate Maoist orthodoxy within the party.

Brought massive chaos because social “norms” evaporated.

Said that there were people trying to bring back capitalism so the youth formed Red Guard

Cultural Revolution damaged country socially and economically.

REVIEW

What were some of the problems before China became communist? Overpopulation Little Industry Money was valueless High unemployment Food shortages

What is the Agrarian Reform Law? Officials took land from landowners and redistributed it.

What was the Three-Antis-Campaign? Targeted communist cadres that became to close to

public officials What was the First Five Year Plan based off of?

The Soviet Unions Five Year Plan

REVIEW

What was the Great Leap Forward? Mao’s attempt to modernize China.

What was the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution? The advancement of socialism by removing

capitalism from society.

SOURCES

http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/china_1949_to_1953.htm

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/593635/Three-Anti-campaign

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three-anti/five-anti_campaigns

http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/china_1949_to_1953.htm

http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/great_leap_forward.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cultural_Revolution