Immediate Aftermath of the Civil War (2a.1) Flashcards
1
Q
Why Mao Might Feel Positive
A
- Chinese people pleased the Communists finished the Civil War
- CCP proved they were a more successful organisation than the GMD as they extended areas of control in Civil War
- Non-communists believed their lives under Mao would at least be tolerable
- Mao willing to work with all social groups who had China’s best interests at heart
- Mao regarded as architect of new China
- Authority not easily challenged, had devoted support of PLA
Ensured all political opposition was impossible (enforced by military) - Ensured Red Army treated peasant better than the GMD: land distribution, gained their support
- Showed they were capable of handling both urban and rural issues
2
Q
Economy KP
A
- Crippled by 12 years of war, 1937 onwards got worse
- Industrial output dropped as Japanese seized most productive areas as they advanced southwards
- Japanese bombing raids brought serious damage to Chinese Industries
- By 1945 (Japan defeated) Industrial output 25% of pre-war level
- GMD paid for war by printing/borrowing money
- By 1945 inflation rate stood at 1000%
- Chiang took China’s foreign currency reserves when he fled to Taiwan 1949
- Total population increased from 541 mil (1949) - 587 mil (1953)
- Economic infrastructure was underdeveloped by underinvestment and non-skilled workforce
3
Q
Social KP
A
- Disruption to agriculture caused by conscription of peasants to fight in rival armies
- Thousands of people fleeing the Japanese in the East
- Famine in Henan Province accounted for 2-3 million lives
- 20% population lived in cities that depended on surpluses from countryside but the countryside couldn’t even feed itself
- Farming methods labour intensive, basic mechanism
- NRC had staff of 30,000 technical experts
- Workforce of 250,000
4
Q
Communications KP
A
- In 1949 only Manchuria and the population centres of the East coast and lower Yangtze had transport and communications systems in place
- Mao had already experimented with radio broadcasting in Yanan and was quick to install a state radio in Beijing
- Communications infrastructure would need a major overhaul in order for economic modernisation to be possible
5
Q
What was China’s industrial output by 1945? (%)
A
25% of its pre-war level
6
Q
What was the inflation rate by 1945? (%)
A
1000%
7
Q
What was the total population change?
A
541 mil (1949) - 587 mil (1953)
8
Q
What percentage of the population in cities relied on surpluses from the countryside?
A
20%
9
Q
How many technical experts did the NRC have?
A
30,000
10
Q
How many were in the workforce?
A
250,000
