Unit 4 AoS 2 Chinese Revolution - Short Flashcards VCE History Revolutions

L1: The Implementation of a New Political System

• 1954: Mao and CCP leaders developed a new political system around the concept of a ‘democratic dictatorship’

• Hierarchical and authoritarian political system where Mao Zedong was both the head of state and CCP

• The National People’s Cngress functioned as a parliament, however in reality the Central Committe of the CCP would debate and suggest changes to major policies

• 1954 Constitution focused on national unity, democracy and the rights of citizens, asserting that state and political parties were to function separately, however CCP dominated decision making

• Early government of PRC was made up 8 democratic parties, however CCP remained the dominant party

• The government issued a new currency called the yuan to reduce hyperinflation

• Wages paid to employees were tied to the price of key commodities

• By 1951: Inflation reduced to 15% and wages stayed in line with cost of living

L2: The Korean War and Fanshen

The Korean War (25 June 1950-27 July 1953)

• 1950: With Soviet and Chinese aid, North Korea invaded South Korea

• 28 June 1950: Seoul captured by the North

• 15 September 1950: US forces invaded North Korea

• CCP interpreted US invasion as an example of Western imperialism that threatened Chinese sovereignty

• From 25 November 1950, up to 2 million Chinese soldiers called the People’s Volunteers’ entered North Korea, successfully repelling the US invasion

• 1951: Ceasefire was signed and resulted in the 1953 armistice

• Chinese public were encouraged to ‘Resist America, Aid Korea’ to justify repressive mass campaigns

• China provided 95% of the soldiers for the North Korean War effort

• 400,000 Chinese killed

• UN declared China as the aggressor which resulted in China being sanctioned

Fanshen (turning over) and Land Reform

• By 1949: 1/3 of China had undergone land reform

• 28 June 1950: Agrarian Reform Law (nationwide campaign of land redistribution

• Peasants were mobilised to single out ‘counter-revolutionary’ landlords and denounce them in Speak Bitterness meetings

• 1 million landlords executed by peasants

• 47% of China’s farmland redistributed

L3: Mass Campaigns

L4: Social Improvements