Case Study 2: Mao

Question 1

Emergence

Answer 1

Economic Factors
Social Divisions
Impact of War
Weakness of Political System

Question 2

Economic Factors

Answer 2

Long-Term Socioeconomic Context: (Fall of Manchu dynasty, Lack of modernization and infrastructure, poverty, peasantry, deep class divisions)
USA removed financial support to the GMD due to governance issues
Inflation
Economic Mismanagment by the GMD (late 1940s)
Mao’s economic ideology (Collectivisation and land reforms - appeal to peasants)

Question 3

Social Divisions

Answer 3

Anti-Western Sentiment (Boxer Rebellion and Double ten revolution)
Regionalism (Warlordism) vs Central Authority
Emergence of the CCP
CCP vs GMD

Question 4

Impact of War

Answer 4

CCW:
Guerrilla Warfare (Peasant Support)
Ideological Solidification (establish leadership)

WW2 and S-JW2:
United Front and Nationalism (enhanced reputation as true nationalist and leader)
Expansion of Influence in rural areas
Power Vacuum after Japan retires

CCW resumed:
Ultimate defeat of the GMD

Question 5

Weakness of Political System

Answer 5

Manchu Dynasty
Warlordism Period (Fragmentation of Power)
Ineffective Governance under the GMD (corruption, poor administration, peasant neglect, focus on urban elites )
Inability of the GMD to defend China in SJW

Question 6

Maintenance

Answer 6

Use of force
Foreign Policy
Legal Methods
Propaganda and Charisma

Question 7

Use of force

Answer 7

Anti-Rightist Movement 1957 (established fear)
Rectification Campaigns (killed class enemies and counter-revolutionaries)
How to hold an Accusation meeting/The 3-5 Antis (500 executions and 3000 arrests)
The Cultural Revolution (1966-1976) (Red Guards, persecuted “class enemies”, public beatings and imprisonment)

Question 8

Foreign Policy

Answer 8

Sino-Soviet Treaty of Friendship (1950)
The Korean War (1950-53)
The Sino-Soviet dispute in 1960s

Question 9

Legal Methods

Answer 9

The Organic Law 1949
The Agrarian Land Reform Law 1950
Public Security Bureau 1951
Constitution of the People’s Republic of China 1954
Cultural Revolution Policies 1966-1976

Question 10

Propaganda and Charisma

Answer 10

Iconography and Symbolism - Little Red Book
Media Control
Political Education and Re-Education Campaigns
Charisma (ability to connect with the peasantry and present himself as one of them)
Mass mobilization ( Socialist Education Movement and Cultural Revolution)
Public Rallies and Displays

Question 11

Policies

Answer 11

Economic
Political
Cultural/Social
Women
Foreign Policy

Question 12

Economic Policy

Answer 12

Agrarian Land Reform 1950 (end the feudal system)
Five/Three Antis Campaigns 1952 (target tax evasion, fraud, bribery)
First Five Year Plan 1953-1957 (develop heavy industry ASAP)
The Great Leap Forward 1958-1963
Second Five Year Plan 1958 to 1962

Question 13

Cultural/Social Policy

Answer 13

Speak Bitterness Campaigns
Re-education programmes
Struggle Meetings
The Marriage Law Reform 1950
Cultural Revolution 1966-76

Question 14

Women

Answer 14

Mao believed in female equality (in theory)
Polygamy Outlawed
Marriage Law Reform 1950 (banned arranged marriages)
Prejudice persisted but re-education programmes and propaganda helped

Question 15

Foreign Policy

Answer 15

Sino-Soviet Treaty of Friendship, Alliance and Mutual Assistance 1950
The Korean War 1950-1953
Taiwan and the Off-Shore Islands Crisis 1958
Sino-Soviet Relation 1953-1976
Tibet and Xinjiang 1950-1951 and Sino-Indian war 1962

Question 16

Political

Answer 16

The Organic Law 1949 (democratic dictatorship)
Thought Reform Campaign 1951 (exposed those who did not support the revolution)
“How to hold an accusation meeting” Pamphlet
Hundred Flowers Campaign 1957
Cultural Revolution 1966-76