Communist China - Economy and Social Changes

1. Slide 1
Revolution in China
and Communist China
This presentation relies heavily on a power point created by Dan
McDowell. Teaching Point, ©2003

2. Slide 2
Chinese Economic
Development
• Foreign economic influence was eliminated
– most foreigners were kicked out of China
• A Soviet style 5 year plan was implemented
to encourage industrialization.
• Large pieces of land were redistributed to
peasant farmers.
• (These efforts had limited success.)

3. Slide 3
Great Leap Forward
• 10 years later, Mao’s
government took back all
land through
collectivization
• State-controlled collective
farms were created
• Some city-dwellers were
moved along with peasants
onto collective farms.

4. Slide 4
Great Leap Forward
• Mao’s gov
attempted
industrialization
through “backyard
steel mills”

5. Slide 5
Great Leap Forward
• The plans failed miserably – famine caused
over 20 million deaths, steel production
dropped drastically, the program ended
early, and Mao’s power was reduced

6. Slide 6
Chinese Social Class Changes
• Wealthy upper class
(including ruling
families) was
removed.
• Landowning class
was destroyed.
• Intellectuals attacked
• Working class
officially the only
class

7. Slide 7
Social Class
Communist Party Leaders
• Became the new upper
class
Military Leaders
• Continued to be in the
upper class
Workers (especially rural
workers
• Gained status (yet
economic conditions
deteriorated)

8. Slide 8
Women’s Status Improved
“Women hold up half the sky.”
• Foot-binding ended
and arranged
marriages were
limited
• Women could hold
professions, join the
army, and serve in the
government.
• “Legal equality” with
men.

9. Slide 9
Women’s Status Improved?
• Women were working outside of the home
AND still responsible for the home and
childcare.
• Traditional emphasis on men as “superior”
continued.

10. Slide 10
Cultural Revolution
1960s
• Mao wished to regain
power he lost in the
Great Leap Forward and
create another
revolutionary
movement.
• Created The Red Guard
from the Chinese youth
– students, peasants, &
soldiers

11. Slide 11

12. Slide 12
Cultural Revolution
• Red Guard attacked
people in positions of
power or privilege
who publicly
disagreed with Mao.
• Any “suspects” were
imprisoned or forced
into labor in rural
areas.

13. Slide 13
Cultural Revolution
• Traditional culture and
education were
destroyed.
• Cult of personality
formed around Mao
• Eventually military
leaders supported
ending cultural
revolution in fear that it
would get out of control.