China 1950-1981: Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping Era

A set of 50 flashcards summarizing the major events, policies, and changing dynamics in China between 1950 and 1981 under Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping.

What were the key beliefs of the Guomindang Party?

Nationalism and democracy.

Who was the leader of the Guomindang by 1925?

Chiang Kai-shek.

What significant action did Chiang Kai-shek take against the Communist Party in 1927?

He purged the Communist Party.

What was the Long March?

A strategic retreat by the Communist Red Army over 3,000 km to establish new bases.

What was Mao Zedong's role during the Long March?

He led the march and emerged as the established leader by 1936.

What was the impact of the Second World War on China?

The Japanese occupation caused severe suffering among the Chinese population.

What happened at Nanjing during the Japanese invasion?

Chiang's capital was captured in December 1937.

What was Chiang Kai-shek's attitude towards the Japanese invasion?

He initially ignored it and focused on the Communists instead.

What was the primary strategy of the Chinese Communist Party during the war against the Japanese?

Guerrilla tactics to undermine Japanese forces and support peasants.

How did the Civil War in China begin after WWII?

Tensions rose between the Nationalists and Communists after Japan's surrender.

What was the People's Liberation Army (PLA)?

The military force of the Communist Party during the civil war.

What was a major turning point for the Communists in 1948?

Many eastern provinces fell into Communist hands.

Where did Chiang Kai-shek flee after the defeat?

To Taiwan, where he established the Republic of China (ROC).

What is the People's Republic of China (PRC)?

The Communist state established in mainland China in 1949.

What was the Hundred Flowers Campaign?

A campaign encouraging open criticism of the government, which backfired.

What was the Antis Campaign?

Campaigns targeting corruption among party members and state officials.

What was the Suppression of Counter-Revolutionaries?

A campaign to eliminate those seen as threats to Communist rule.

What was the Long-term result of the campaigns targeting corruption in China?

A drop in corruption and improvement in urban crime control.

What was one of the significant downsides of Mao's campaigns?

The loss of personal freedoms and severe repression.

How did Mao view religion?

He regarded it as superstition and harmful to society.

What was the Agrarian Reform Law?

A law that aimed to redistribute land from landlords to poorer peasants.

What was the objective of the Great Leap Forward?

To rapidly transform China's economy and increase agricultural and industrial output.

What was one significant failure of the Great Leap Forward?

It led to a massive famine causing millions of deaths.

How did the Great Leap Forward affect agriculture?

It forced collectivization and led to disastrous farming practices.

What was the main impact of the Cultural Revolution?

Widespread chaos, violence, and a suppression of intellectualism.

What were the Four Cardinal Principles introduced by Deng Xiaoping?

Ensure socialist road, uphold dictatorship of proletariat, maintain leadership of Communist Party, uphold Marxism-Leninism.

What was the one-child policy?

A population control measure that limited couples to one child.

What effect did the one-child policy have on gender balance?

It led to gender imbalances, with many preferring sons and committing infanticide.

How did Deng’s economic reforms affect agriculture?

Introduced household responsibility system allowing farmers to keep excess produce.

What were the Special Economic Zones (SEZs)?

Regions in China where market-oriented economic reforms were tested.

How did Deng Xiaoping view education reform?

He aimed to modernize and improve education for economic growth.

What was the effect of the Cultural Revolution on education?

It caused widespread closures of schools and universities.

What change occurred in women's rights under Deng Xiaoping?

Some rights were rolled back due to the one-child policy and emphasis on population control.

What was the status of the legal system under Deng?

Reformed and rehabilitated, allowing for some legal protections.

How did Deng’s policies differ from Mao’s in terms of economic planning?

Deng decentralized economic planning and improved efficiency in state-owned enterprises.

What was the purpose of propaganda during Mao's rule?

To promote Communist ideology and support for Mao.

How did propaganda change after Mao's death?

It focused on Deng's policies but continued to suppress dissent.

What significant event marked a call for democracy in China in 1989?

The Tiananmen Square protests.

How did the Chinese government react to the Tiananmen Square protests?

With military force, leading to widespread repression.

What does the term 'cult of personality' refer to in the context of Mao?

The promotion of Mao as an infallible leader above criticism.

In what year did Mao Zedong die?

1976.

What was one way Mao attempted to maintain control during the Cultural Revolution?

By rallying youth and establishing the Red Guards.