China Communism Flashcards
After the emperor was overthrown, what 2 political parties emerged in China?
After the emperor was overthrown, the Communist Party and the Nationalist Party were formed.
Who was the leader of the Communist Party?
Mao Zedong was the leader of the Communist Party.
What did the Communist Party promise to bring to China?
The Communist Party promised to improve peasants’ living conditions and bring food to the poor.
When was the Communist state of the People’s Republic of China established?
October 1, 1949
Why did poor peasants support the Chinese Communist Party?
The party promised to improve living conditions for the peasants and bring food to the poor. Mao also took land from the rich and gave it to the poor.
Which country was China’s key ally throughout the mid 1900s?
The Soviet Union
What was the name of the economic plan that the Chinese government developed in order to boost China’s economy?
The Great Leap Forward
Describe the Great Leap Forward.
The Great Leap Forward, a plan designed to boost China’s economy, was based on the idea that people worked not for their own personal gain, but rather for the good of the country. The government controlled people’s work schedules. It took over all businesses and private property, and they set up communes, where thousands of people lived and worked together. Goods made in the communes were collected by the government, and each family was given a set amount of goods called rations.
What 3 problems caused the Great Leap Forward to fail within a year?
Poor management, environmental issues, and government corruption
What was the biggest consequence of the Great Leap Forward?
From 1958 to 1960, China was struck by one of the largest famines in history. Because of the Great Leap Forward, the Chinese people were not prepared to handle it, and around 20 million of them died during this time.
What was the Cultural Revolution?
Mao Zedong realized that he was losing control of China, and so he created a program called the Cultural Revolution in 1966. He said he would get rid of the 4 olds: old thought, old habits, old ideology, and old customs. Mao also promised that the revolution would also restore the spirit of Communism and bring Chinese culture back.
What was the true purpose of the Cultural Revolution?
In reality, Mao created the Cultural Revolution to stop all who opposed his rule.
Who was the Red Guard and what did they do?
Mao urged students to quit school and organized them into an army called the Red Guards. These students attacked, imprisoned, and killed those suspected to disagree with Mao.
What was the impact of the Cultural Revolution on many Chinese?
Educated people that opposed Communism were tortured, imprisoned, or killed. Parts of the previous China, such as monuments, statues, and artwork, were destroyed, and schools and factories shut down. The Chinese people feared and distrusted the government, leading to chaos in the country.
In 1989, where did many Chinese students come together to peacefully protest Communism?
In 1989, over 10,000 Chinese students came together in Tiananmen Square in Beijing to peacefully protest Communism.
