Mao's China

Key developments 1911-1949:

- China had undergone dramatic changes in the period before the CCP seized power in 1949.

- The Qing dynasty of emperors, which had been overthrown in 1911 had been in power since 1644.

- The Republic that replaced them in 1911 disintegrated almost immediately as China plunged into a period of chaos, with rival warlords fighting to establish control of it's regions.

- It took 10 years before of unrest before Chiang Kai-Shek and the nationalist party (GMD) defeated China and brought down the warlords. Bringing China under greater central control.

Nanking decade 1927-37:

- Chiang Kai-Shek established relative political stability and tried to destroy the Communists, driving them into the interior of China. Where they eventually regrouped to set up the Jiangxi Soviet in 1928.

- However, in 1934 100,000 communists embarked on a retreat known as the Long March. Only 20,000 survived, making it to Yanan, where they established a new Soviet.

- It was here that Mao asserted his leadership over the party, and here the Communists gained vital experience of the government.

- Meanwhile, the GMD had been powerless to prevent Japanese from invading and occupying the rich north-eastern province of Manchuria in 1931. By 1937, the Japanese were ready to extend their control further and so the Sino-Japanese war began.

- GMD and CCP made a new United Front against the invaders.

Attack on pearl harbour 1941 = turning point

- Americans began to help the Chinese to fight back against the Japanese. 

- Chiang Kai-Shek hoped that the US Army force would land on Chinese Soil as a prelude to attacking Japan, an army that he hoped would also be used to destroy the Communists. 

- However, the Japanese surrender came sooner than expected when the Americans dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

- Although China was free once again, Chiang Kai-Shek still faced the problem of the Communists, who had grown in popularity during the war years, largely because they had sucessfully cultivated the support of the peasantry.

- Despite attempts by the USA to get the 2 sides to compromise and form a coalition government, open civil war broke out between the GMD and CCP in 1946. 

- In December 1949, Chiang Kai-Shek left the mainland and flew to Taiwan. Although he still claimed to be the legitimate ruler of the country, Mao amd the Communists were left in complete control.

What were some of the difficulties in ruling China during the 20th Century?

- Vast size of the country

- Disparities (great difference) in wealth

- The centre of China was very poor

- Disease

- Language barriers and different ethnicities such as Han; Manchu

- Climate range such as Gobi Desert; Cold

- Social cohesion (unity), women referred to 'maggots in rice' and large amount of religious groups.

- Political infrastructure was poor.

- Natural disasters

Problems faced:

- Factory output 44% lower than 1937.

- Food production at subsistence (minimal) level

- Countryside starvation

- Hyperinflation 

- Millions of experts/officials fled

- Half railway network destroyed

- 5% of 600 million population were proletariat, most illiterate

- Poor support in cities

Problems faced:

- GMD still active south of Yangtze

- Secret societies and cults active in countryside, rebellions

- USA would only recognise GMD government.

- Tibet was unconquered

- Poor mechanisation/ transport

- Soviets still controlled much of Manchria.

Good things for Mao:

- People happy Mao ended Civil War

- More effective at organising infrastructure than GMD

- Utopian honeymoon, many believed that they could be apart of it

CPPCC 1949:

- Approved temporary constitution (common program): temporary constitution, would be updated in 1954 (5 years time) to cover civil war and repair what had happened, stressed alliance of peasants/workers, proclaims gender equality, makes law that women should be paid the same as men, gave army and police supreme power to suppress opposition as well as accpeting co-operation between working class and capitalist framework.

- 610 delegates

- Mao announces he's making a democratic centralism (looks democratic on the surface, but in reality is a constitution.

- Drafted new constitution

- Passed laws

-Chose state symbols

- Appointed Central People's Government

Route of laws:

Politburo Decision -> Central People's Government -> CPPCC

- Politburo of 14 make decisions on law.

- This is passed to CPG to authorise

- Law is then passed on to Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference for ratification.

1954 onwards: - The CPPCC remained as a advisory body to National People's Congress. Met annually at the same time as National People's Congress.

- National People's Congress, New legislature, Rubber-stamped Politburo decisions 

- State Council, New name for Central People's Government, Same functions

The bureaux:

- China divided into 6 regions, or bureaux

- illusion of de-centralisation

- Each region was run by 4 Communist Officials

- A PLA commander

- Government chairman

- PLA political commisoner and CCP Party Secretary

Why was bureaucratisation of the revolution a danger for Mao?:

- Corruption is linked with bureaucracy

- Unelected

- No accountability

- Careerists

- Middle class resurgence

- Exploitation of peasants

The role of the CCP:

- To run the country

- To unite party and state, individuals

- Real power concentrated on Politburo and Mao.

- Rule from the centre, Zhongnanhai

- Monitor the civil service , legal system, army and education

- Youth league

- Women's federation

- Danwei

The role of the PLA: (peoples liberation army)

- Mythic status for CCP members

- World's largest army , 5m in 1950

- Expensive , 40% of budget

- Led by Peng Dehuai

- Forced respect towards peasantry

- Conscription

- Work projects

Mao's priorities:

- End any GMD military resistance

- Secure internal power

- Shore up popularity

- Remove people not wholly loyal to the cause

- Remove potential threats to the cause

Mao's Promises:

- Peasants, land distribution

- Workers, better living conditions, minorities offered autonomy

- Businessmen, contribution of private ownership

- Intellectuals, freedom

Who are the enemies?

- GMD, KMT, Chiang Kai-Shek, Nationalists, Foreign powers, Land owners, Intellectuals , Businessmen, America & Korea

What tactics did Mao use?

- Terror

- Snitching on people to settle scores, reporting friends & family

- Kind towards the peasants

- Restrictions on food & resources

- Fear, forced labour camps

- Endear to party values, learning slogans

- Propaganda

The Reunification campaigns (1949-50)

- PLA invaded Tibet October 1950

- Tibetans regarded themselves as culturally different

- 60,000 troops resisted for several months

- PLA imposed as a CGP leader

- Resettled the land with Han Chinese

- Dalai Lama fled in 1959.

Terror- labelling:

- Danwei (workplace) denial, 60 labels each citizen could be given such as 'good' 'bad' or 'middle'

- Judges loyalty to regime and family history, labelled 'red' and 'black'. 'Blacks' sent to reeducation classes.

The Great Terror 1950:

- Under veil of the Korean War

- 1-2 million deaths

- Denunciations

- Quotas 1/1000 branded running dogs

- Horrific torture

- 'merciless destruction'

- Peasant uprising