The Role of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) in Establishing Communist Rule in China

Flashcards about the role of the PLA in establishing Communist China.

People's Liberation Army (PLA)

The key factor in establishing communist rule in China between 1949-1957.

Mao Zedong Thought

All political power lies in the barrel of a gun.

PLA Size in 1950

5 million, the largest army in the world.

PRC National Control

Mao lacked an effective means of national control when he announced the PRC.

PLA's Role

Helped consolidate Mao's power after defeating the Japanese and the GMD.

PLA in 1950

World’s largest army with 5 million men, taking up 40% of the state budget.

CCP Control of PLA

Through the Military Affairs Commission.

PLA's Influence

Greatly influenced communist control through reunification campaigns.

PLA in Korean War (1950-53)

Enhanced Mao’s political prestige and intimidated opponents.

PLA Responsibility (1950-1953)

Suppression of bandits, resulting in over 100,000 enemies of communism killed.

Conscription Law (1955)

800,000 new recruits every year, taught to read and write, known as PLA – ‘big university’.

PLA Recruits

From poor rural backgrounds, welcomed opportunities.

PRC Regional Division

Divided into six regions governed by regional party Bureaux after the civil war.

Regional Bureaus

Composed of Government Chairman, First Party Secretary, Military commander, and Army Political Commissar.

Lin Biao

Leading soldier of PRC, held 3 posts in Nationalist South.

Military Administrative Commissions

Also known as the regions.

Regions in 1954

Six regions replaced by 13 regions, each comprising two provinces.

Regions' Accountability

Answerable to a military affairs commission, chaired by Mao, and ministry of defense under Peng Dehuai.

'Learn from the PLA' campaign

Used to instruct people to show bravery, discipline, resourcefulness, incorruptibility, and commitment to communism.

PLA Exemptions

Exempt from legal authority, e.g., New Marriage Laws of 1950.

PLA's Economic Role

Officer’s dependents forced to work in cooperative farms.

PLA Work Teams

Contributed one week’s free labor on construction or irrigation projects, taught in primary or night schools, or repaired farm tools.

PLA Pig Raising

Every 50 men commanded to raise one pig, and units had to make their excrement available as fertilizer.

PLA Reunification Campaigns

Used to consolidate Mao’s control within China’s borders, aiming to control peripheral regions for security from foreign invasion.

Reunification Campaigns

Vital to the communist regime to control Tibet, Xinjiang, Guangdong, and Taiwan.

Areas with Rival Belief Systems

A challenge to communism.

Mao's Collaboration

Collaborated with groups opposed to GMD to gain wider popularity until the 1950s.

Temporary Government Bodies

Set up to run the country with a provisional constitution until 1954.

CCP and PLA Partnership

Led the government together, controlling the press for positive news about initiatives and policies.

CPPCC (September 1949)

Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference; 662 delegates from 14 parties including left-wing GMD.

CPPCC's Role

Provisional parliament until 1954, appointed new Central People’s Government, and approved the Common Program.

The Common Program

Temporary constitution declaring China as a new society of alliance between peasants and workers, represented by the CCP.

Common Program Freedoms

Guaranteed personal freedoms and gender equality but also gave police and army the right to suppress counter-revolutionary activity.

Factors Establishing Communist Rule

Administrative reform of land, organization of government, Three and Five Anti Movements, use of informers/secret police, political purges, mass mobilization, Mao’s personality, democratic centralisation, and party organization.