China Area Study 2

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Consolidating power

-          People’s republic ( government)

-          Alliance with USSR

-          Stabilizing China after the war

-          Korean War

-          Social control of class warfare

2.     Great Leap Forward

-          1st Five Year Plan

-          Hundred Flowers and Anti-Rightist Campaigns

-          Great Leap Forward(2nd Five year plan)

-          The Lushan Conference

-          Three Bitter Years’ of Famine

-          7000 Cadres Conference

3.     Cultural Revolution

-          Mao’s absence from the party

-          People’s Liberation Army

-          Jiang Qing

-          Red Guards

-          Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution

-          Death of Mao

Consolidating power

People’s Republic of China

Structure of the government:

 

Leadership:

-          Strong and absolute à central feature of CCP

-          Followed “democratic dictatorship

-          Important figures:

CCP

PLA

Mao Zedong

-          Head of CCP and government with supreme power but left the running of the country to the party

-          Strong and capable(Long march, growth at Yan’an and victory in Civil war)

-          Complete loyalty and power from party though propaganda(Mao Zedong though) and fear (rectification)

-          Inspire many by showing confidence in the people

Zhu De – Commander in chief of PLA

Liu Shaoqi - Second to Mao, ran the CCP and help develop cult of personality at Yan’an

Peng Dehuai – involvement in Korean war and Lushan Conference

Zhou Enlai - Third to Mao, ran the government and was a skilled negotiator and good compromiser

Lin Biao – A senior general who rise to power after expanding cult of personality to PLA

-          Mao’s leadership

o   As Emperor

§  1 October 1929 proclaim PRC

§  Respect and obedience from people from cultural legacy of China’s Emperors

o   Mandate of Heaven

§  Became Marxist-Maoist Mandate of heaven

§  Traditional: Mao as wise and all-powerful, public display of wealth and power

§  Modern: mass media used for propaganda, nation belonging to the “people”

o   Consequences

§  Economic disaster (famine from Great Leap Forward)

§  Social and political disaster( disorder from Cultural Revolution)

-          Cult of personality 

o   Use of propaganda to generate image of ideal leader

o   Portrayed as heroic, wise and fearless

o   Discourage opposition

o   Useful tool for authoritarian dictatorship.

 

Alliance with USSR

Imperialism

-          Economic exploitation between powerful and weak nations

-          PRC = weak country with great ambitions

-          Angry against foreign exploitation(opium wars)

-          “Lean to one side”

o   Help USSR and not USA during the Cold war

Help from the Soviets

-          Soviets to lend money, experts and planes to strengthen country, jumpstart Chinese industry

-          Build modern navy and airforce

-          Provide greater security

-          Not a friendly visit àDifferent perceptions on

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