China Revolution to Communism to Today - Review

Aim: What were the results of the Chinese Revolution, The Great Leap Forward, and the Cultural Revolution?

Do Now: Take a quiz. You have 10 Minutes.

Lesson Overview:

Item	Approx Time
Do Now	3-5 Min
Mini Lesson	15-20 Min
Activity	15 Min
Discussion	5-7 Min

China in Revolution

Chinese Leaders 20th Century

1912-1925	1928-1954	1954-1976
Sun Yat-sen	Chiang Kai-shek	Mao Zedong
Nationalist	Nationalist	Communist

Note: All dates above are approximate since some leaders ruled different parts of country at same time, or ruled in exile.

Finally, 5,000 years of dynastic rule in China came to an end in 1911. China tumbled into civil war as local warlords sought to control their locals, while nationalist leaders such as Sun Yat-sen sought to unify China. Civil war took hold of China after Sun’s death as Mao Zedong and his communist forces battled Sun's successor Chiang Kai-shek for control of the country. In 1949, Mao established a communist government in mainland China while Chiang Kai-shek fled to Taiwan and established a democratic government there.

Communism and the revolution in China was different than the Communist Revolution in Russia/Soviet Union in that Mao used the peasants to gain power, and in Russia they used the industrial workers.

The Great Leap Forward

Mao Zedong, upon establishing the communist People's Republic of China, set out to transform his country into a modern state. Politics and economics were state controlled in what is referred to as the Great Leap Forward. Mao also attempted to control the very minds of the people. The economic program designed to increase farm and industrial output though the creation of communes was part of Mao's Great Leap Forward. Communes are similar to Soviet collectives in that groups of people live and work together on government owned farms and in government owned industry.

Mao's Little Red Book

Beginning with the education of school children, communist thinking was indoctrinated. Mao's Little Red Book was required reading and any former members of the intelligentsia, the educated class, were forced into schools that re-trained their minds to fit Mao's vision. Confucianism and Taoism, the traditional religions of China, were banned. However, women did receive more equality as traditional Chinese culture was suppressed. Any opposition to Mao's authority was quickly and harshly put down.

Cultural Revolution from 1950s and beyond

In the late 1950's into the 60's, Mao's opponents, despite the consequences, began demanding changes in Mao's policies. Mao responded by unleashing the Red Guard, a mob of students who attacked and brutalized any who spoke out against Mao. This period was known as the Cultural Revolution. The ensuing chaos brought China to a grinding halt in terms of industrial production. Finally, a harsh military-enforced crack-down ended the Cultural Revolution by the late 1960's.

During the 1970's, China and the Western world gradually increased economic, social, and political contact. The thawing of the Cold War, resulted in democratic principles seeping into China. In 1989, students filled Beijing's Tienanmen Square, protesting for more democratic reforms. China strained relations with the West by brutally putting the demonstration. Many were killed and thousands were arrested as Chinese tanks and soldiers stormed into Tienanmen Square. This famous image shows one lone student stopping an entire line of Chinese tanks.

Classwork & Homework

Homework: Continue to work on Turning Points Project