2. The new power structure

Question 1

What was organised in September 1949/

Answer 1

The Chinese people’s political consultative conference to meet in Beijing

Question 2

What happened at the political consultative conference?

Answer 2

662 delegates created the common program for China to act as a provisional constitution to provide the legal basis for the new republic

Question 3

Who was invited to the creation of the new constitution?

Answer 3

16 were formal members of the CCP
Left-wing members of the Guomindang were invited
A representative from the democratic league
High profile politicians

Question 4

Why were representatives from a wide cross section of social and political perspectives invited?

Answer 4

For propaganda purposes to make the regime seem more open

Question 5

What was the new constitution?

Answer 5

All power in the people’s republic belongs to the people

Question 6

When was the new constitution created?

Answer 6

1954

Question 7

What was supposed to be the voice of the people?

Answer 7

An elected legislature that would be represented in the central government through democratic elections

Question 8

What was the role of the legislature?

Answer 8

Govern at a local provincial level and pass up information to the government in Beijing

Question 9

How many members did the party have in 1950?

Answer 9

5.8 million

Question 10

How did the CCP rule china?

Answer 10

It co-ordinated branches of the government, organising education, the legal system and the mi,itary

Question 11

How many members did the central committee have?

Answer 11

49

Question 12

How many members did the politburo have?

Answer 12

25

Question 13

How many members did the standing committee have?

Answer 13

5

Question 14

Where did the government derive its authority from?

Answer 14

From the political consultative conference

Question 15

Where was power in the government?

Answer 15

Concentrated in the peoples government council which combined legislative and executive powers

Question 16

What could the central people’s government do?

Answer 16

Interpret and encase laws
Announce decrees and execute them
Declare war and make treaties
Control the budget
Appoint key government personnel

Question 17

What did the name of the government council change to in 1954?

Answer 17

The state council

Question 18

Who was the state council headed by?

Answer 18

Zhou Enlai

Question 19

What did Zhou Enlai co-ordinate?

Answer 19

24 new ministries such as justice, heavy industry, food and finance

Question 20

How did the party control the PLA?

Answer 20

Through the military affairs commission

Question 21

How was control over the PLA increased?

Answer 21

Reunification campaigns

Question 22

How did the PLA help Mao?

Answer 22

To enhance his personal political prestige

Question 23

How did Mao intimidate his opponents?

Answer 23

Through the military achievements of the Korean war

Question 24

What were the PLA’s responsibilities between 1950-1953

Answer 24

Suppression of bandits and over 100,000 enemies were killed

Question 25

What was passed in 1955?

Answer 25

A conscription law

Question 26

What did the conscription law ensure?

Answer 26

800,000 new recruits every eyar

Question 27

How were new soldiers indoctrinated?

Answer 27

Through communist propaganda in order to create genuine ideological commitment

Question 28

Where did recruits come from?

Answer 28

Poor backgrounds who welcomed the opportunities that a military career offered

Question 29

How was the PRC divided and why?

Answer 29

Into 6 massive regions in order to help the government control such a vast area of territory

Question 30

How were the 6 regions governed?

Answer 30

By a regional party bureaux which corresponded to the areas under control of the different communist armies

Question 31

What were the 4 officials in the regional bureaux?

Answer 31

The government chairman First party secretary Military commander Army political commissar

Question 32

What was "Learn from the PLA?"

Answer 32

A campaign that instructed people to learn from the PLA in terms of bravery, resourcefulness, incorruptibility and commitment the the communist cause

Question 33

How did the PLA help build China's infrastructure?

Answer 33

Working in teams to help construct irrigation projects and co-operative farms They taught in schools and helped repair farm tools

Question 34

What was the size of the army reduced to between 1950 and 1953?

Answer 34

5 million to 3.5 million

Question 35

What did new military academies do?

Answer 35

Trained an ideologically committed generation of officers, schooled in the techniques of modern combat and loyalty Provided weapons