Topic 4: Social and Cultural Changes (1949 - 76) Flashcards
Why did Mao want to break down traditional authrative figures ?
So that Him and the CCP were the only authority
What Confucian value made changing the role of Women initially difficult?
The Confucian value of Obedience made women subserveint to their husbands
Where did the treatment of women remain particularly bad?
In more rural areas
Especially in Muslim provs in the West like Xingjnd and Qinghai
Where was it written tht women would be less restricted in marriage?
In Clause 6 of the Communist Common Programme (1949)
Wht allowed more acess to job opportunites and paid employment?
1st 5YP
In 1949, the amount of women in the workplace was just 8%.
In 1976, this figure rises to ?
32%
Why did Mao want to destroy the ‘Tradtional Family’?
1) Reprsented old Confuscian values of Obediance
2) Family represented attatchment (bourgious mindset)
What act allows for Women to own land themselves ?
The Land Redistribution Campaign (1950)
- altohugh this is pointless because by 1953, noone owns private land
Why does Mao beleive in the support of Women?
Mao understands women’s support would be vital as they make up half the popultion
What does Mao say regarding women’s ablity ?
“Women hold up half the sky” - Mao
Why does Mao not like arranged marriages?
Beleives they enslave women
- (Mao’s own experience of rejecting this t 14 yr old)
The Marriage Law of 1950 is one of the first things introduced by the Communits.
What are its main clauses?
- Arranged mrriages outlawed
- M and W who had been forced to marry can divorce
- Women retained right to keep proeprty when they married
- Having multiple wives and mistressess was outlwed
How many women use the Marriage law to escape divorces in 1950 ?
Over 1 million
When was footbinding originally outlwed?
in 1911.
Communists outlaw it in 1949 but still occurs in rural areas
The Impact of the GLF.
four negatives for Women
1) Men could claim more food rtions as they were more productive
2) Prostution rates went hgiher
3) Significant rise in divorce rate. Gansu prov; inc of 60%
4) Wife-selling was a desparate wy to make some moeny and have less mouths to feed
The family unti comes under attck during the CR.
How does this happen?
Mo wants youth loyal to him over parents
Encouragement of SPYING on parents and elders
How was the family disrupted after the CR?
12m were sent down to the countryside (China’ lost generation)
- Found it hard to reintergrate after this