authoritarian states : mao

Question 1

When did the CCP take control of China?

Answer 1

1st October 1949

Question 2

What were the long term economic problems facing China leading up to 1949?

Answer 2

• Failure to modernise in 19th century
• 80% population lived in poverty @start of 20th century
• Defeat in wars (1st Sino-Japanese War) weakening the economy
• Unequal treaties imposed by european empires

Question 3

What were the early 20th century economic problems facing China?

Answer 3

• No significant improvement of the economic system after 1911 revolution
• Warlord era left the country fragmented & divided
• Economic reforms by Chiang Kai Shek (building of roads/railways) led to only modest improvements
• Impact of war w/Japan (1937-45) and Chinese Civil War (1946-49)
• Hyperinflation

Question 4

What issues with social division did China face before 1949?

Answer 4

• High levels of social inequality
• Agricultural workers lived in poverty
• Warlord era highlighted regional divisions, many areas were outside of Nationalist control
• Wealth was focused in urban areas
• People were unhappy with the GMD and saw CCP as a better alternative

Question 5

What issues with weaknesses of political systems did China face before 1949?

Answer 5

• Xinhai revolution failed to establish strong government system after 1912
• Weakened during warlord era
• GMD’s ideology was based on Sun-Yat-sen, promising people improvements inc. 3 Principles (democracy, livelihood & nationalism) but LIMITED COMMITMENT
• Nanjing decade brought stability but GMD was unpopular with working classes & failed to consolidate control over country and make alliances w/warlords
• Nationalist political system = conservative & authoritarian and many ideas were ineffective (New Life Movement failed to bring cultural changes)

Question 6

What issues with the impact of war did China face before 1949?

Answer 6

• Losing 1st Sino-Japanese War in 1895, increasing tensions between China & Japan
• 21 demands made by Japan during WW1
• Japanese invasion of Manchuria in 1931
• 2nd Sino-Japanese War (1937-45) devastating loss of life & economic damage weakened GMD control. 20 million Chinese died incl.17 million civilians
• Chinese Civil War broke in 1946; created the conditions for CCP to take full control, GMD were sig. weakened & Chiang’s popularity & authority had declined massively

Question 7

How was ideology used as a method to gain power by Mao?

Answer 7

• Mao’s ideas and teaching led to changes in CCP ideology, moving away from Marxism-Leninism.
• Talks of revolutionary potential of peasants rather than Soviet belief revolution would come from workers.
• ‘The peasants are the sea, we are the fish. We live in the sea.’ - Mao
• Seemed committed to nationalism (popular with the people as Japan was at war w/China)
• CCP held ideological appeal through policies like land reforms and gender equality

Question 8

How was the role of leaders used as a method to gain power by Mao?

Answer 8

• Mao was a military leader, leading the Autumn Harvest Uprising in Sep 1927
• Effective usage of guerilla warfare tactics
• Long March (1934-35) many members of CCP died, Mao was able to increase position & gain power in the party
• Launched self-criticism campaigns (early 1940’s) to remove revisionist ideas from the party

Question 9

How was persuasion and coercion used as a method to gain power by Mao?

Answer 9

• Through control of Jiangxi Soviet & Yanan years able to increase membership through popular policies
• CCP ideologies appealed to peasantry w/policies on land reform & medical help
• Peasant membership of CCP increased to 1 million in 1945
• Red Army created rules for good conduct, threat of force is people didn’t comply
• Communists could veto local associations if they didn’t agree with decisions

Question 10

How was the use of force used as a method to gain power by Mao?

Answer 10

• Futian Incident (1930) 100’s Red Army members executed, likely under Mao’s order
• Ideology indicated acceptance and willingness for use of force when necessary
• Land redistribution often done by force, land confiscated from landlords often involved violence and loss of life.
• ‘Only with guns can the whole world be transformed’ - Mao

Question 11

How was propaganda used as a method to gain power by Mao?

Answer 11

• Long March used as propaganda, giving Mao & leaders cult status
• Cult of personality grew as images/writings were promoted by CCP
• Conduct rules of Rd Army were form of propaganda, working as self promotion
• Leaders wrote literature to promote CCP movement