Chinese Communist Party History

Cadre

Party or government official responsible for policy implementation within the Chinese Communist Party.

Central Committee

Highest decision-making body of the Chinese Communist Party between national congresses.

Central Military Commission (CMC)

Top military authority overseeing the People's Liberation Army (PLA).

Chinese Communist Party (CCP)

Ruling political party in the People's Republic of China since 1949.

Confucianism

Ancient Chinese ethical and philosophical system emphasizing moral values and social harmony.

Cultural Revolution

Mao Zedong's movement from 1966 to 1976 aimed at radical social and cultural changes.

Democratic Centralism

CCP principle emphasizing collective decision-making and subordination to central leadership.

Falun Gong

Controversial spiritual practice in China facing government suppression.

Great Leap Forward

Mao's campaign from 1958 to 1962 for rapid industrialization, resulting in famine and economic disaster.

Hundred Flowers Campaign

1956 period encouraging free expression, later suppressed by the CCP.

Kuomintang (KMT)/Nationalist Party

Political party defeated by the CCP in 1949, retreating to Taiwan.

Long March

Red Army's 1934-1935 retreat to escape Nationalist forces.

Mass Line

Political concept emphasizing CCP's connection with the masses.

May Fourth Movement

1919 cultural and intellectual movement advocating for political and cultural reforms.

Nomenklatura

System appointing individuals to key positions based on loyalty to the ruling party.

People's Liberation Army (PLA)

Combined military forces of the People's Republic of China.

Politburo

Top decision-making body within the CCP.

Red Guard

Militant youth groups during the Cultural Revolution promoting Maoist ideology.

Special Economic Zone (SEZ)

Designated areas with special economic regulations to attract foreign investment.

Tiananmen Square (event)

1989 pro-democracy protests in Beijing forcefully suppressed by the Chinese government.