Transcript Mao Zedong
Mao Zedong Hero or Villain China Before Mao • Chiang Kai-shek, a nationalist, controlled China until 1949. • During his reign, the government improved transportation, provided education to more people, and encourage industry. • However, the lives of the peasants and working class did not improve. • This lead many to turn to the Communist Party for help. Mao’s Background • Was a peasant • Attended Hunan Teacher’s College • Joined CCP (Chinese Communist Party) and joined KMT (Kuomintang) Two Political • CCP – Chinese Communist Party • KMT Kuomintang • Primary Element of Communism – Classless society where all people are equal – Many of these ideas originated from Marxism Name the TWO leaders of the KMT • Sun Yat-sen • Chang Kai-shek Long March • What year? – 1934 • Who marched? – 10,000 of Mao’s followers – A.K.A. The Red Army • Why did they march? – They fled the Chaing’s blockade. The march lasted one year. Gained followers along the way. During WWII: Japan Invades China • In 1937 Japan invades China to secure control of China vast raw . material KMT and CCP fought together against Japan. Japanese control over China in 1940 After WWII • After WWII, civil war broke out between the CCP and KMT • KMT was defeated by Mao’s Red Army in Tiananmen Square on October 1, 1949. • Mao established the People’s Republic of China Great Leap Forward • Purpose: to speed up economic development and become equal to other nations in agriculture and industry. • What is it? Series of policies created large working/living communities • Result: Poor agricultural production, droughts, and floods caused the worst famine in history. From 1958-1960 20 million people starved. Cultural Revolution • What: a movement created by Mao • Purpose: to remove opposition of the communist party and remove western influence in Chinese society. • Additionally, close the gap between the peasants and the land and factory owners. • Lasted TEN years. Some of the events of the C.R. • Schools and stores were closed if they taught/sold anything not support the communist party. • Land and factory owners were chastised publically and articles were written against them. • Mao’s wife controlled cultural society, so plays and art were created that glorified Mao. The Red Guard • High school students were encouraged to form these groups. • Given power and mistreated innocent people • Destroyed books, artwork, religious buildings, or anything that connected to the China’s past • Schools were closed and teachers were sent to the countryside to do hard labor. • Artists and Writers were publicly criticized Mao had called on every youth of China to build a new nation according to his own thought & classic Marxist and Communist thought. The posters, accordingly, depict young people and students as taking part in all sorts of political activities. Effects of the Cultural Revolution • Only ended after Mao’s death • Many people were killed and others committed suicide.