Unit 1: How accurate is it to say that the political system put in place by the Communists after 1949 was authoritarian rather than democratic? Flashcards
What factors show that the political system put in place by the communists after 1949 was slightly democratic?
Mass participation in party groups
Minority groups in the CPPCC
Party congress removing Mao’s thought.
Democratic centralism
What factors show that the political system put in place by the communists after 1949 was extremely authoritarian?
China’s bureaus and provinces
Rectification campaigns
The PLA indoctrinating the youth
Mao’s main ideas
Describe how “mass participation in party groups” shows that the political system put in place by the communists was slightly democratic.
Unlike Russia, mass participation in party groups were encouraged.
For example the women’s federation had 76 million members.
These groups played an active role in the land reform campaign of the 1950s and the later cultural revolution.
Describe how “Minority groups in the CPPCC” shows that the political system put in place by the communists was slightly democratic.
The CPPCC initially was composed of 600 delegates which was largely made-up from the Communist Party.
But also some minority groups, such as the China democratic league, which gave it a broader appearance and a greater claim of unity.
Describe how “the party congress removing Mao’s thought” shows that the political system put in place by the communists was slightly democratic.
Mao’s leadership was, at times, insecure.
For instance, in 1956, when Mao was unwell, the party Congress removed Mao’s thought as the guiding ideology.
Following this, it took him months to get the party behind the hundred flowers campaign.
Describe how “Democratic centralism” shows that the political system put in place by the communists was slightly democratic.
Elections took place in villages and town councils.
Those with the most votes were sent to represent people higher up.
But the process was controlled by the CCP so there was no choice of party.
Describe how “China’s bureaus and provinces” shows that the political system put in place by the communists was extremely authoritarian.
In 1949, China was divided into 6 bureaus.
This changed in 1954 when it became 21 provinces, five autonomous border regions and two urban centres.
Communist officials were in control over each region, including political commissars who ensured that people remained loyal to Mao.
Describe how “rectification campaigns” shows that the political system put in place by the communists was extremely authoritarian.
Mao implemented rectification campaigns in order to cement his position as leader of the CCP.
Although others in the politburo would challenge him, he always expected to win debates and promote his main ideas.
Describe how “the PLA indoctrinating the youth” shows that the political system put in place by the communists was extremely authoritarian.
800,000 people were conscripted per year on a 3-year term of national service.
They were taught Maoist ideology and used as a labour force.
Describe how “Mao’s main ideas” shows that the political system put in place by the communists was extremely authoritarian.
Mao’s Main ideas where the fundamental ideas of the CCP and therefore the PRC.
Mao introduced ideas such as nationalism, continuing revolution, mass mobilisation and listening to the people in order to protect Chinese interests and centre the revolution on the peasantry.
