Communal Living: Vision vs Reality

Question 1

VISION:

1. What did the CCP believe communes moved Chinese life closer to?
2. What did they think income would now account for?
3. What did they think mess halls provided?

Answer 1

1. Perfect communism.
2. The needs of each commune resident.
3. Sharing meals, increased revolutionary fervour.

Question 2

VISION CONTINUED:

1. Women could now do what?
   - What women did the CCP praise and why?
2. Between 1958 and 59, what % of women laboured in agri?
3. Where were grandparents put?

Answer 2

1. Join men in the fields.
   - Iron Women for having an equal role in production.
2. 90%.
3. ‘Happiness homes’ - would not have burden of looking after grandchildren, and could enjoy later years.

Question 3

REALITY:

1. What could the CCP easily target Chinese ppl with, now they were in 1 place?
2. All ____-_____ people between __ and __ y/o belonged to commune ______.
3. What were communes devastating for?

Answer 3

1. Propaganda.
2. Able-bodied, 15 and 50, militia.
3. Family life.

Question 4

REALITY CONTINUED:

1. What was the actual effect of mess halls?
2. What was the reality of the production levels on communes?
3. What was Mao convinced the cause of this was?

Answer 4

1. Wasted time travelling there, ate poor quality food - worsened diets.
2. Still did not increase enough.
3. Sparrows.