3 - Mao and the Party Flashcards
You will learn about: the ideology and leadership of Mao Zedong the role of the Communist Party in the new government the importance of mass Party membership in consolidating support for the regime the part played by mass campaigns against corruption and the bourgeoisie in consolidating the regime
What happened at a ceremony on 1 October 1949?
Mao Zedong announced the founding of the People’s Republic of China
What had Mao done by 1949?
Established himself as leader of the Chinese Communist Party
Mao was leader because his thinking was more relevant to China. Why was this the case? (4) (3)
Other leaders
- trained in theory and practice in Soviet Union
- they followed orthodox Marxist theory
- this emphasised importance of proletariat
- their aim was to build communist party membership in cities among factory workers
Mao
- 1% of population industrial workers (early 1920s)
- therefore could never form support base
- believed peasants to be revolutionary force
What was Mao Zedong thought based on? How did he adapt it to suit China? (5)
Marxist ideology \+ self-reliance, continuing revolution, class struggle, learning from the people, mass mobilisation
Self-reliance: The revolution was fought to liberate China from who?
Foreigners/ foreign influence Feudal landlords (exploitative, unequal, outdated)
Self-reliance: China did seek aid and advice in the 19150s from one country though. Who was it?
Soviet Union
Continuing revolution: Why was ‘continuing revolution’ needed?
Landlords and bourgeoise still owned most of the property
Continuing revolution: What did Mao believe was the advantage of the ‘continuing revolution’?
= commitment to aims
= people more likely to fight against return of old ways
= essential for each gen to be involved in the struggle to prevent the threat of a counter rev
Class struggle: What did Mao believe the Communist Party would become without a class struggle?
The new ruling class
Class struggle: How did Mao attempt to arrest the gradual detachment of the Communist officials from the people?
Periodical rectification of the party
Class struggle: What happened in struggle meetings?
-public criticism
-self-criticism
potentially
-re-education by attending indoctrination meetings and working in the fields with peasants
Class struggle: What was the purpose of class struggle meetings?
They were a method of putting psychological pressure on anyone suspected of being in opposition to the regime
Learning from the people: What were the people going to act as?
A check on the power of the Party
Learning from the people: What was Mao determined not to happen?
For the CP to become similar to the SU and issue orders in a dictatorial and commandist fashion
Mass mobilisation: What did Mao have firm belief in?
- the essential goodness of people
- China’s millions + revolutionary zeal = could achieve anything
Mass mobilisation: Name some works mass mobilisation was used to build. (4)
- dams
- roads
- major industrial projects
- cultivation of land
Mass mobilisation: What did Mao not believe was the key to economic advancement?
Managers and experts
What were the 4 challenges faced by the new government in 1949?
- peasants taken from their land in order to fight wars = food shortages + decrease in industrial production
- Guomindang government left a legacy of inflation = no money
- communist victory in civil war created a rift with West = no help
- new gov. not yet in control of all areas of China = a divided nation (to some extent)
What was the short term priority for the government after coming into power?
Stabilise the economic and political situation
Also extend its control
How were 4 challenges faced by the new government in 1949 sovled? (6)
this needs a detailed and long answer.
- inflation brought under control by regulating economy: cuts in public expenditure; taxes rasied, new currency - neminbi - introduced
- property of Guomindang supporters confiscated
- all foreign assets (apart from SU assets) confiscated
- banks, gas, electricity and transport nationalised
- 3 ‘reunification’ campaigns (1950-1) PLA established central gov. control in Xizang (Tibet), Xinjiang, Guandong
- new system of gov. established
In order to build develop agriculture and industry Mao needed the support of who?
‘national bourgeoisie’ = factory owners, intelligentsia and businessmen
Who provided the personnel for the government officials and factory managers?
Educated middle class
How many parties participated in the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference in 1949?
- 14 (excluding CPC)
- parties were tolerated as long as they did not threaten CPC power
What were the 3 strands of gov. for the People’s Republic of China?
- The State bureaucracy at national, regional and local levels
- The Communist Party at national, regional and local levels
- The Poeple’s Liberation Army
Which strand of the gov. was at the heart of the PRC
The Communist Party
Who were all the Parties key decisions made by?
The standing committee made up of selected members (5) of the politburo (14)
What was the membership of the CPC in October 1949?
4,448,000/ 500,000,000
What was the membership of the CPC in December 1949?
5,821,604/ 500,000,000
Define ‘cadres’
- people who were fully indoctrinated in Party ideology and methods
- given leading roles at local level in administration and political education
Where did the CPC establish branches? Why?
- in all areas of national life e.g shops, factories, schools, neighbourhoods
- to keep an -_- on everybody
What does ‘danwei’ translate to?
Work unit