Chinese Communism

1. Chinese Communism The start of Red China

2. Beginnings • In 1920s the government of China was the Guomindang, which included some communists • In 1921 the Chinese Communist Party was started but the Guomindang stayed in power under orders of Joseph Stalin • Mass arrests of communists in the late 1920s stirred them up—many fled to the mountains • Among those who escaped was Mao Zedong

3. Mao Zedong • A man of action, prone to violence • Discovered the works of Marx and joined the Communist Party • He planned to redistribute land from the wealthier to the poorer peasants—this goes against traditional Marx thought, which places emphasis on industrial workers • An advocate of women’s equality (banned foot-binding, allowed divorce, etc.) • Pursued by the Guomindang, the Communists fled still further to a remote province—The Long March (6000 miles in one year; started with 100,000, ended with 4000.)

4. The Sino-Japanese War • 1937 Japan attacked China near Beijing; United States and League of Nations shook their fingers in protest • Chinese fought bravely but lost to bigger planes, bombs, and thousands of deaths • Ultimately, Japan determined the war was too much of a drain on resources and they were too dependent on US steel and machinery (ironic…) • Almost a million died, 20,000 women raped, 12.5 million made homeless… • Chinese government, led by Chaing Kai-shek fled to the mountains and a contest between them and the Communists led by Mao Zedong ensued

5. Chinese Civil War • Japan surrendered in World War II 1945 • US gave millions of dollars of aid to China, urging cooperation with the Communists • American aid was used to prepare for civil war • Fighting intensified, US backing Guomindang, Japan supplying the Communists • By 1949, the Guomindang was defeated and the Communist Party under Mao Zedong rose to power, creating The People’s Republic of China