SGQ8

IBSL2 SGQ8

Guiding questions:

Compare and contrast the economic and social policies of one left wing and one right wing single-party ruler.

Examine the status of women in two single-party states, each chosen from a different region.

MWH p.415-420

How successful was Mao Zedong in dealing with China's problems?

a. Problems facing Mao

1. Food shortages

2. Destruction of railways, roads, dykes and dams

3. Bad economy

b. the constitution of 1950

1. who/what had authority for all the main decisions?

The Politburo, a Bureau chosen by the State Council.

2. who was eligible to be elected?

Communist party members.

c. Agricultural changes - what were the two steps taken to collectivize Chinese peasants?

1. Land was taken from large landowners and divided among the peasants.

2. The peasants were encouraged to join collective farms.

d. Industrial changes

1. who helped and was the model?

The Russians helped, and the model was a plan for increase in heavy industry.

2. what evidence of success was there?

i. Communications had been restored.

ii. Inflation was under control.

e. the Hundred Flowers campaign

i. what was a cadre?

A group that organized the masses politically and economically.

ii. why might the cadres be threatened by technicians and engineers?

They would question the cadres' authority.

iii. what was the solution?

An open discussion of the issue between the cadres and the experts/intellectuals.

iv. how did that work out for the government?

The Communist party and its tactics were criticized, and Mao quickly ended the campaign.

f. Summarize the two main features of the Great Leap Forward:

1. Communes, collective farms containing a variety of workers, were introduced.

2. Industry was changed to emphasize the production of farm tools.

3. what was the short term effect of the Great Leap Forward?

i. The withdrawal of Russian aide.

ii. Hardship from 1959-1963.

iii. Mao's resignation as Chairman of People's Congress.

4. what was the long term effect of the Great Leap Forward?

i. Agriculture and industry increased.

ii. Communes worked well as miniature governments, made running of the country possible.

iii. Spread of education and welfare, improvement in women's role in society.

g. the Cultural Revolution

1. briefly summarize the differences between the right wing and left wing views within the Party:

RIGHT- They thought that incentives were necessary for the commune to function effectively, and that an expert class should exist instead of the cadres

LEFT- A privileged class must be avoided because it was vital to keep in touch with the masses.

2. who carried out the Cultural Revolution?

The young people of China and the Red Guard.

3. briefly describe the activities which made up the Cultural Revolution:

All authority figures were denounced and physically attacked, disgracing and ruining millions.

4. what was the impact of the Cultural Revolution?

It ruined millions of lives and held up economic development by ten years.