NWC: East Asia, Chinese Civil War

Republic Of China

a government on the island of Taiwan established in 1949 by Chiang Kai-shek after the conquest of mainland China by the communists led by Mao Zedong

Nationalists (China)

the group in China fighting against communism - lead first by Sun Yat-Sen and then by Chiang Kai Shek. They wanted China to modernize and become more like the West so they would be able to defend themselves. This group ended up losing to communism.

Dr. Sun Yat-sen

Chinese physician and political leader who aimed to transform China with patriotic, democratic, and economically progressive reforms. He was the President of China in 1911 and the father of Nationalist Party.

Chiang Kai-Shek

General and leader of Nationalist China after 1925. Although he succeeded Sun Yat-sen as head of the Guomindang, he became a military dictator whose major goal was to crush the communist movement led by Mao Zedong.

Mao ZeDong

(1893-1976) Leader of the Communist Party in China that overthrew Jiang Jieshi and the Nationalists. Established China as the People's Republic of China and ruled from 1949 until 1976.

Communists

people who favor the equal distribution of wealth and the end of all forms of private property

Peasants

people who worked the land or served the nobles

Long March

The 6,000-mile (9,600-kilometer) flight of Chinese Communists from southeastern to northwestern China. The Communists, led by Mao Zedong, were pursued by the Chinese army under orders from Chiang Kai-shek.

Great Leap Forward

Started by Mao Zedong, combined collective farms into People's Communes, failed because there was no incentive to work harder, ended after 2 years.

Communes

Collective farms grouped together to organize farming and plan public services

Backyard Furnaces

Used to create steel in order to industrialize the country. Many families and schools had these and it slowed down life for them to fulfill their steel quota.

Cultural Revolution

Campaign in China ordered by Mao Zedong to purge the Communist Party of his opponents and instill revolutionary values in the younger generation.

Four Olds

old ideas, old culture, old customs, old habits

Mao Suits

blue uniforms each chinese citizen had to wear in order to be equal/

Red Gaurds

young supporters of Mao during a cultural revolution who held mass rallies to support Mao and traveled around China attacking government officials and others who didn't fully support Mao.

Propaganda

Ideas spread to influence public opinion for or against a cause.

Little Red Book

A book circulated throughout China during the reign of Mao Zedong, which contained his political philosophy for China. It was required reading in all schools.