Consolidating Power (1949-1953)

- National People's Congress acted like a parliament enacting and amending laws, formed through a multi-level process.

- New Laws introduced:

- Marriage Laws (1950) enforced gender equality, allowing women to choose spouses, implementing no-fault divorce, banning polygamy, foot binding, and child marriage, abolishing feudal marriage, ensuring equal pay and maternity benefits for women.

- "Women hold up half the sky" - Zedong's quote emphasizing the role of women in society.

Agrarian Reforms

- Land redistribution from wealthy landlords to impoverished peasantry.

- Campaign known as 'fanshen' aimed to overturn traditional power structures in villages by forming peasant associations and conducting 'Speak Bitterness' meetings.

- Around 800,000 to 5 million people were killed during this period.

- Resulted in the distribution of 100 million acres of land, doubling the crop area held by poor peasants.

Mass Campaigns (1950)

- Aims to eliminate 'enemies' of the revolution, involving coercion and active participation in social, political, and economic movements.

- Thought Reform Campaigns aimed at intellectuals for support, re-educating them, intensifying during the Korean War.

- Sanfan (the three antis) and Wufan (the five antis) targeting waste, corruption, bureaucratism, tax evasion, fraud, bribery, and profiteering, leading to public shaming and struggle sessions.

Chengfen (class labels)

- Classification of people into 'good, middle, and bad' classes based on background, occupation, and commitment to revolution.

Health and Welfare Campaigns

- Emphasized public cleanliness, public health initiatives, and social welfare improvements leading to increased life expectancy.

The First Five-Year Plan (1953-1957)

- Economic policy focusing on infrastructure, heavy industries, and development, supported by the USSR but led to economic imbalances.

Staged Collectivization and Resistance

- Gradual collective farming led to resistance due to perceived exploitation, resulting in stagnation in agricultural production.

Internal Debates and Leadership Struggles

- Internal disagreements on collectivization, leading to tension within the CCP.

- Zedong's authority strengthened after the Gao Gang affair and the High Tide of 1955.

- The Eighth Party Congress limited Zedong's cult of personality, leading to a new leadership team headed by Liu Shaoqi and Deng Xiaoping.

Hundred Flowers Campaign (1956-1957) and Anti-Rightist Campaign

- Campaign encouraging freedom of expression that ultimately led to the Anti-Rightist Campaign, silencing critics and intellectuals.

The Great Leap Forward (1958-1961)

- Ambitious attempt to boost China's economy and shift to collectivized society leading to economic disasters, famines, and millions of deaths.

- Implementation of communes, failed steel production, Lysenkoism in agriculture, and the Four Pests Campaign.

Consequences of the Great Leap Forward

- A man-made famine resulting in widespread deaths and suffering concealed by the CCP's propaganda.

- Soviet split and deterioration of relations between China and the USSR.

Liu Shaoqi’s Presidency & Mao’s Years Out of Power (1962-66)

- Shaoqi As President:

- Directed measures to increase agricultural production.

- Reduced the size of communes, allowing private plots and closing communal kitchens.

- Mobilized the PLA for famine relief.

- Shaoqi’s Economic Reforms:

- Led China's recovery from the Great Leap Forward (GLF).

- Redirected crops to famine regions, reintroduced peasant marketplaces, and increased domestic grain production.

- 7000 Cadres Conference:

- Introduced 'three privates and one guarantee' policy, denouncing the GLF.

- Zedong’s Concerns with Cadres:

- Noted increasing confidence and bureaucratic manner of provincial cadres.

- Warned of corruption and negligence undermining revolutionary values.

- Socialist Education Movement (SEM):

- Campaign to stamp out corruption and promote socialist values.

- Focus on the 'four cleanups' (political, economic, ideology, and organizational fields).

- Lin Biao:

- Strong supporter of Zedong, instrumental in strengthening Zedong’s cult of personality and PLA.

- Emulation Campaigns:

- Introduced 'learn from' propaganda, encouraging emulation of socialist values.

- The Cultural Revolution (1966-1976):

- Initiated by Mao Zedong, encouraged by Jiang Qing, aimed at combating capitalist tendencies.

- Red Guard Movement:

- Emerged as an expression of teenage rebellion and political activism.

- Engaged in attacks on perceived threats and the 'Four Olds'.

- Mao’s Good Swim:

- Symbolic display of strength and health, reinforcing his cult of personality.

- The Sixteen Points:

- Outlined the goals of the Cultural Revolution, targeting those taking the capitalist road.

- Bombard the Headquarters:

- Mao’s support for the Red Guards’ activities in attacking 'old' elements.

- Significant Individuals in Revolutionary Society:

- Rebel Workers, January Storm, and the Gang of Four played critical roles.

- Key Targets of The CR:

- Intellectuals, CCP cadres, and leaders were subject to struggle sessions and attacks.

- The fall of Lin Biao:

- Despite early support, Mao turned against Lin Biao, leading to Biao’s demise.

- The Ninth Party Congress:

- Marked changes in CCP leadership after the Cultural Revolution.