Rise of the People’s Republic

1. Rise of the People’s Republic

2. “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. A revolution is an… act of violence by which one class overthrows another.” --Mao Zedong, 1927

3. Communist Victory • 1930s & 1940s – Mao rallies supporters to free China from forces of oppression—greedy landlords, corrupt officials, foreign imperialists • During WWII, Nationalists & Communists team up against Japan • Still don’t like each other • USA help the Nationalists in struggle against Mao’s Communists • Didn’t work • 1949 — Mao takes over Beijing, declares birth of People’s Republic of China • Nationalists flee to Taiwan • Set up gov’t, vow to regain control of China Civil WWII Vietnam Revolutionary 1900 WWI 1800 2000 1700

4. Appeal of Communism • Mao promised to end years of oppression of China’s poor by landlords & gov’tofficials • “Dictatorship of the people!” • Mao denounced imperialism & promoted industrialization Civil WWII Vietnam Revolutionary 1900 WWI 1800 2000 1700

5. Marxism & Maoism • Karl Marx, German “father of communism” shaped Mao’s idea of communism • Mid-1800s – Marx predicted the proletariat, or the industrial working class, would rise up against the bourgeoisie, or the ruling class • Proletariat revolution would spread worldwide • Create a classless society • 1917— Communist revolution takes place in Russia • Inspires Mao Civil WWII Vietnam Revolutionary 1900 WWI 1800 2000 1700

6. Creating a New Order • 1954 – Communists set up a constitution • Sets up a “people's congress” • Permitted free elections • Protected other democratic rights • In practice, China became a one-party dictatorship. • Communists held all important jobs • Communists controlled the economy • Silenced critics • Enforced own views • To restore order in China, Communist turn China into a totalitarian state • Gov’t controls every aspect of people’s lives Civil WWII Vietnam Revolutionary 1900 WWI 1800 2000 1700

7. Mao’s Leadership • Mao becomes popular hero through propaganda campaigns • Chinese taught that Chairman Mao had all the answers to Chinas problems • Memorized Mao’s sayings from Quotations from Chairman Mao, or “the Little Red Book” • Mao restored order, ended foreign influence • Insisted China become self-sufficient • Increase food production • Extended basic health care services to huge population • Built Chinese schools • Great Leap Forward • Cultural Revolution Civil WWII Vietnam Revolutionary 1900 WWI 1800 2000 1700

8. New Directions • 1979 – Mao dies, Deng Xiaoping takes over • Turns away some of Mao’s ideas • Eased control of gov’t’s strict controls • Sent Chinese students abroad • Welcomed foreign investment • 1989 — Policies almost backfired. • Tiananman Square protests for democratic reforms • Initially, gov’t allows protests, then orders students to go home • Students refuse • Army kills/wounds thousands • Gov’t arrests, tortures, and kills leaders Civil WWII Vietnam 1900 WWI 2000

9. Life After Mao http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GqnFbKAOkE