Communism in China

1
Communism in China

• Spreading the Red

2
China goes Communist

• During WWII, China lost 22 million people -
  mainly due to Japans 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

3
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 Peoples Republic of China under
  Chairman Mao

4
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
5 Year Plan and Great Leap Forward

• Maos 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

6
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