Revolution in ChinaCommunists vs. Nationalists

Right to Rule - 1920Nationalist Party

Sun Yat-sen then Chiang Kai-shekChinese Communist Party

Combination of PartiesBoth parties combinedWhy? Both opposed warlords and to drive

out the imperial powers

Separation of PartiesShek attacks Chinese Communist in ShangaiFounded new Chinese republic of NanjingCommunist went into hiding – Shek tries to

root out all Communists

The Long MarchPeople’s Liberation Army (PLA) – Comm.Travel 6000 miles by foot to reach

Communist base in northwest China

2 Chinese Government - 1945Nationalist Gov (Shek) – southern and central

China (US supports)Communist Gov (Mao) – Northern China

Civil WarPeasants were attracted to Communist (mil) –

liked the promise of landBy 1949 they defeated the Nationalist – fled

to Taiwan (2 Mil)

New Socialist SocietyLand taken away from the wealthy – given to

poor (2/3’s of peasants received land)Private farmland was collectivized

Why? Increase food production and allow people to work ind.

Industry and commerce was nationalized

Great leap Forward - 1954 Collective farms combined into communes

(3000 people)Purpose – reach final stage of communism –

classless systemTotal disaster

Decreased in food production15 mil. Died of starvation

Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution - 1966“Great Revolution to create a proletarian

(working class) cultureMao wanted an atmosphere of constant

revolution fever

Red GuardsYoung peopleRid nation of “Four Olds”

Old ideasOld cultureOld customsOld habits

Ex – destroyed temples, books by foreigners, and foreign music

Individuals were attackedIntellectuals and artists of Pro-Western ideas

Mao Zedong dies in 1976