China Timeline

The Civil War
Communists vs the Guomingdang
The Communists wanted to take control through their liberation areas, and the Guomindang wanted to take control through Chongqing
Chiang led the Guomingdang, and governed it like a military dictator
Chiang believed a country was best ruled by one leader
Chiangs goals: To modernize the country
Unifying the country by improving communications, railways, postal services
Powerful foreign countries encouraged to build plants in China to helped develop industry
Rural Service set up which sent students into the countryside on their breaks to help peasants harvest their crops, yet did nothing to reduce land taxes which took ½ of the peasant’s income
Could not prevent famine
Communists
Liberation areas improved life--women’s associations were set up to help women protect themselves from violent family members such as husbands or fathers-in-law
Red Army set up thousands of new farming tools, new schools
Big estates of land were confiscated and divided among peasants who did not have their own
Rents were reduced, taxes were lightened
Guomingdang favored to win the army--were backed by American’s and had lots of money and weapons
Chiang recognized by numerous international governments as the true leader of China
Commu had no big cities, no airforce, small army
PLA led by Lin Biao, avoided major battles with the Guomindang, instead making guerilla tactics

Utilized rallies to convince Chinese to be suspicious of foreigners
People from US became singled out bc aided Korea
Many foreigners were arrested (including missionaries)
At the end of 1950, the only foreigners that were allowed in China were the Russians

corrupt politicians, supposed tax evaders, deflecting away from problems in the government, both focus on what they claim to be corruption, they are anti-rightist movements

Intended to speed up industrial growth
Iron and steel, energy, transport, communications, machinery, and chemicals were the industries that were prioritized
All private industries and businesses were nationalized, although many former managers remained in their positions
Peasants were paid smaller amounts of money for grain, which led to a large surplus for investment
Iron and steel mills were set up in smaller town markets
Oil, coal, iron ore etc minerals were found
NE, factories and mines were further developed, which led to a larger amount of industrial expansion
Targets were exceeded by 20%

Mao lifted censorship and encouraged criticism of life in China
People were allowed to speak against the government as long as the criticism was constructive--not hateful and destructive (which is what it became)

The campaign that was a result of the 100 flowers campaign
Half a million people were denounced and labeled as rightists
Were persecuted, imprisoned, put into labor camps, and sent to the countryside for re-education