Transcript The Rise of Mao Zedong

The Rise of Mao Zedong
How China became Communist
Background
 China is very large and mountainous, making
communication difficult
 Qin Dynasty is the first in 220 BC, developed
a “Sinocentric” world view (thought China was
the greatest country ever)
 This closed them off to other countries
 Under Manchu Dynasty China weakens and
European powers exert influence:
 Britain victory in Opium Wars
 US Open Door Policy
 Foreigners not subject to Chinese Law
Boxer Rebellion
 Poor peasants who were against the Empress
and foreign privileges united . They are crushed
by a European force
 Nationalism rises and in 1908 create political
party.
 Resist imperialism
 Organize central government
 Overthrow Manchu Dynasty
Nationalist Revolution 1911
 Yuan becomes Prime Minister, kicks out the
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Manchu Dynasty and outlaws Nationalist
(Kuomintang/KMT) party
Yuan dies and civil war ensues (War Lord
era)
Sun Yat-Sen becomes a weak leader for KMT
WWI brings hope for China, but they are
taken over by Japan
Nationalism rises out of desperation to
preserve culture
Creation of Communist Party
 1920 Russia sends representatives & CCP
(Chinese Communist Party) is founded
 Russia tells CCP to join w/ KMT
(Nationalist Party)
 Mao does & wins favor, Russia wants CCP
to create an army
 Sun Yat-Sen dies and Chiang Kai-shek
takes over KMT
Split between KMT & CCP
 1927 Chiang purges KMT of communists
through massacres
 Communists go underground
 Mao takes over KMT deserters and
creates his own army w/Zhou De
 1930-34 Chiang launches “Encirclement
and Extermination” campaigns to get
rid of communists
The Long March
 1934 Mao breaks through KMT lines and goes
West through the mountains to avoid death
 KMT attacks from the air
 Some argue Chiang could have destroyed him
but choose not to because:
 1. Stalin had Chiang’s son captive in Russia
 2. He would let CCP into areas and then those
Warlords would be grateful to the KMT when
they get rid of CCP
 10% of original marchers survive (8,000)
 Mao viewed as a hero
KMT & CCP join uneasy alliance
 WWII Japan threatens again KMT & CCP
unite for defense
 CCP does better than the Nationalists and
wins more support
 CCP creates land reforms
 Mao’s Rectification Campaign, purges those
disloyal to him
 Japan defeated, USA tries to bring KMT &
CCP together to no avail
 KMT seek refuge on island of Taiwan, Jan
1949 Mao proclaims the People’s Republic of
China (PRC)
Transforming Marxism to fit China
 1. Book learning is useless w/out real life
experience
 2.Peasants are the vanguard (protector) of the
Revolution
 3.Retain and strengthen gov. power to build
socialism
 Mao heads the central gov. while Chou Enlai
handles state affairs
 Treaty of Friendship with Russia 1945 for
mutual defense