communist china - economy and social changes
TRANSCRIPT
Slide 1
Revolution in Chinaand Communist China
This presentation relies heavily on a power point created by Dan McDowell. Teaching Point, ©2003
Slide 2
Chinese Economic Development
• Foreign economic influence was eliminated – most foreigners were kicked out of China
• A Soviet style 5 year plan was implemented to encourage industrialization.
• Large pieces of land were redistributed to peasant farmers.
• (These efforts had limited success.)
Slide 3
Great Leap Forward• 10 years later, Mao’s
government took back all land through collectivization
• State-controlled collective farms were created
• Some city-dwellers were moved along with peasants onto collective farms.
Slide 4
Great Leap Forward
• Mao’s gov attempted industrialization through “backyard steel mills”
Slide 5
Great Leap Forward
• The plans failed miserably – famine caused over 20 million deaths, steel production dropped drastically, the program ended early, and Mao’s power was reduced
Slide 6
Chinese Social Class Changes
• Wealthy upper class (including ruling families) was removed.
• Landowning class was destroyed.
• Intellectuals attacked• Working class
officially the only class
Slide 7
Social ClassCommunist Party Leaders• Became the new upper
classMilitary Leaders• Continued to be in the
upper classWorkers (especially rural
workers• Gained status (yet
economic conditions deteriorated)
Slide 8
Women’s Status Improved“Women hold up half the sky.”
• Foot-binding ended and arranged marriages were limited
• Women could hold professions, join the army, and serve in the government.
• “Legal equality” with men.
Slide 9
Women’s Status Improved?
• Women were working outside of the home AND still responsible for the home and childcare.
• Traditional emphasis on men as “superior” continued.
Slide 10
Cultural Revolution
1960s• Mao wished to regain
power he lost in the Great Leap Forward and create another revolutionary movement.
• Created The Red Guard from the Chinese youth – students, peasants, & soldiers
Slide 11
Slide 12
Cultural Revolution
• Red Guard attacked people in positions of power or privilege who publicly disagreed with Mao.
• Any “suspects” were imprisoned or forced into labor in rural areas.
Slide 13
Cultural Revolution• Traditional culture and
education were destroyed.
• Cult of personality formed around Mao
• Eventually military leaders supported ending cultural revolution in fear that it would get out of control.