Mao Zedong and the Chinese Communist Revolution

Flashcards reviewing key information about Mao Zedong and the Chinese Communist Revolution.

What year was Mao Zedong born and what year did he die?

Mao Zedong was born in 1893 and died in 1976.

What roles did Mao Zedong hold throughout his life?

Mao was a Marxist theorist, soldier, and statesman.

When was the Chinese Communist Party created?

The Chinese Communist Party was created in July of 1921.

At what age did Mao begin working full-time?

Mao began working full-time at age 13.

Why did Mao leave his family?

Mao left his family to study at a higher primary school and then at a secondary school in Changsha.

What significant event occurred in China in 1911 that Mao participated in?

In 1911, people began fighting against the Qing dynasty, and Mao joined the army.

Who were the military leaders that Mao looked up to in his youth?

Mao admired George Washington and Napoleon I.

Who did Mao meet while working as a library assistant at Peking University?

Mao met Li Dazhao and Chen Duxiu.

What were the protests about during the May Fourth Movement of 1919?

People protested against the decision to give German concessions in Shandong province to Japan instead of China.

When did Mao personally commit to being a communist?

Mao committed to being a communist in July of 1921.

Which political party did Mao join and work for in 1923?

Mao joined and worked for Sun Yat-Sen’s Nationalist Party.

How did Mao’s conversion to Marxism change his views on Chinese peasants?

His conversion led him to organize Hunanese peasants into a network of associations.

Who became the leader of the Nationalists in 1925?

Chiang Kai-shek (Jiang Jieshi) became the leader.

What was the goal of the Northern Expedition?

The goal was to unify China under Chiang Kai-shek and overthrow warlords.

What did Chiang Kai-shek begin doing to communists in 1927?

He turned against the revolution of the peasants and workers.

What mountain range did Mao flee to for support?

Mao fled to the Jinggang Mountains, where he found support from Chinese peasants.

What type of warfare tactics did Mao use against the Nationalists?

Mao used guerilla warfare tactics.

What happened to Mao’s first wife?

She was executed by the Nationalists.

Where did Mao and a major part of the Red Army go during the Long March?

They headed northwest in China.

Which country attempted to invade China in 1937?

Japan attempted to invade China.

What did the Nationalists and communists agree to do in 1937?

They agreed to form a united front against Japanese invasion.

How did the Chinese communists fight the Japanese army?

They used guerilla tactics, breaking their forces into small units for ambushes.

How large was the Chinese Red Army by the end of World War II?

The Chinese Communist Army had grown to half a million to a million soldiers.

What happened to Mao’s second marriage in 1939?

He divorced He Zizhen and married actress Jiang Qing.

What significant achievement did Mao accomplish within the Chinese communist party in 1943?

Mao achieved formal supremacy and became chairman of the Secretariat and Political Bureau.

What year did Mao defeat the Nationalists and lead the People’s Republic of China?

Mao defeated the Nationalists in 1949.

Which country supported and recognized communist China?

The Soviet Union supported and recognized communist China.

What war was China involved in due to its alignment with the Soviet Union?

China was dragged into the Korean War.

Why did Mao seek help from the Soviet Union?

Mao lacked experience in running a state and managing economic development.

What did Mao believe China needed in 1950 for modernization?

He thought China needed heavy industry for mechanization and collectivization.

What caused Mao to change his views on China's social transformation in 1955?

Mao changed his viewpoints according to the evolving political context.

What were Mao's derogatory comments about those who disagreed with him?

He called them 'old women with bound feet'.

Why did the relationship between China and the Soviet Union break down in 1963?

Mao resented Khrushchev for actions that harmed China's dignity and economy.

What impact did the breakup with the Soviet Union have on China?

It led to many natural disasters and famine due to the termination of Soviet aid.

Why did millions die in China during the 1960s?

Millions died due to famine caused by natural disasters and poor policies.

How were individuals treated during the Cultural Revolution?

Many faced public humiliation and detention for foreign opinions.

How were foreign influences perceived during the Cultural Revolution?

They were viewed as counterrevolutionary and faced severe punishments.

List two positive contributions Mao made to China.

He brought self-government and addressed landlessness among peasants.

List two negative impacts Mao had on China.

His policies caused damage to the economy and resulted in famine.