About the Formation of the People's Republic of China

The formation of the People's Republic of China started in 1949 and continues until this day. It is one of the fastest changing societies in the world. Any discussion of the formation of the PRC is a discussion about its founder, leader and icon, Mao Zedong. Mao transformed the world's largest society into a socialist republic in just a few years.

Time Frame

The last Chinese dynasty, the Qing, ended in 1912 with the establishment of the Republic of China. However, the central government was very weak until the late 1920s, when the Chinese Nationalist Party led by Chiang Kai-shek was able to solidify the country. Their government was later challenged by the Communists led by Mao Zedong, but war with Japan in 1937 made them put aside their differences. The rivalry reignited when Japan surrendered and withdrew its troops in 1945. This led to the Chinese Civil war in 1947; the Communists would prevail two years later.

History of

Mao Zedong declared the formation of the People's Republic of China on October 1, 1949. The PRC would be based on the communist model of the Soviet Union. The next day, the USSR recognized the PRC. By the following February, the PRC signed a Treaty of Friendship with the Soviet Union. Mao needed help from the Soviet Union, since he had little practical experience reforming a huge society. The Soviet Union was the only large communist nation for the PRC to use as an example.

Effects

With the help of the Soviets, Mao began reforming the government and society of China. At the beginning, this was friendly effort that welcomed all classes of people. Everything changed when the PRC got involved in the Korean War. In October 1950, PRC forces marched into North Korea. This was denounced by the United Nations and led to an arms embargo against the PRC. Mao then initiated a effort to rid the People's Republic of China of enemies of the state. There were mass trials of people viewed as spies and counter-revolutionaries. Intellectuals and wealthy landowners were reeducated and required to denounce their former ways. The existing government was purged of bureaucrats deemed to be corrupt or inefficient. Mao declared that the People's Republic of China would have a culture of the working class that must be reflected in all art and literature. The entire society of China was transformed in just a few years.

Evolution

In 1953, the People's Republic of China implemented its first five-year plan based on the economy of the Soviet Union. The old system of wealthy landowners profiting from peasant labor was dismantled. Private businesses, banks and farms were seized and placed under centralized control. The Soviet Union provided technical support and helped the PRC build several industrial plants. All foreign western companies were thrown out of China. By 1956, Mao realized that he needed Chinese intellectuals to help the PRC grow. He announced a willingness of "letting a hundred flowers bloom." It meant that intellectuals were free to speak their minds. This policy backfired on Mao when intellectuals began to question his government and policies. This resulted in a more severe crackdown on the "educated elite." Many were sent to work in the fields to be reeducated.

The Facts

In May 1958, Mao announced the "Great Leap Forward." He created "people's communes" where thousands of families were expected to live and work together. The organization and resources to achieve this task did not exist, resulting in economic and social problems for the PRC. Large numbers of peasants were taken from farms to produce steel in the country. This was a huge failure, since the steel was of inferior quality and there were not enough peasants to tend to the crops. Millions of people died in famines that followed. Mao defended his "Great Leap Forward" despite obvious problems. He brutally punished anyone who questioned his plan.

Risk Factors

In 1960, Liu Shaoqi gained political control of the PRC from Mao. He tried to unravel Mao's "Great Leap Forward" by shrinking communes and returning some private ownership. In 1966, Mao retook power with his "Cultural Revolution." He encouraged his young followers to rid the PRC of the "liberal bourgeoisie." Many leaders and intellectuals were killed by mobs. Liu Shaoqi was sent to a labor camp, where he died in 1969. The social unrest that followed led to a breakdown of many elements of society in the PRC. People stopped going to work, and many were afraid to say anything controversial in public. Mao survived other challenges to his leadership, including assassination attempts and a coup attempt by his chosen successor Lin Biao in 1971.

Significance

Mao Zedong died on September 9, 1976. Despite his shortcomings, he is still revered by the Chinese people. Power struggles followed his death, eventually settling into the leadership of Deng Xiaoping. Deng and subsequent leaders of the People's Republic of China implemented reforms that opened up the PRC to the world. These include the dismantling of communes, more private ownership and opening China to foreign investment. The People's Republic of China is now the fastest-growing large economy in the world, and its people are enjoying unprecedented affluence.