Page 96
“How did the experience of the young people in the countryside affect their attitude towards Mao and the Cultural Revolution?”
1. Their experience in poor living conditions made them begin to question the wisdom of Mao. They saw the connection between language and reality, and saw that Mao was using them through propaganda.
“”
2.
Page 97
“How much blame attaches to Mao for the horrors of the Cultural Revolution?”
3. The blame for the horrors is completely attached to Mao. Although he did not command the atrocities, he allowed them to continue. Furthermore, he started the Cultural Revolution in the first place.
Page 98
“In what sense was the Lin Bao affair a turning point in the Cultural Revolution?”
4. It was a turning point in the sense that after the affair, people lost faith in the governmental system. If a man was a leader and a hero one day and a traitor the next, who could they trust?
“What form did the plot take?”
5. When Lin realized he was going to be removed, he reluctantly agreed to join an assassination attempt lead by his brother. However, his sister let the news slip and Mao was rushed away. Desperate, Lin attempted to fly away to the USSR. The plane crashed on the way. After this event, Mao seemed disheartened because he realized he needed people for protection.
Page 100
“What consequences followed from Lin Bao's disgrace?”
6. People realized that the government couldn't always be right if things like this happened. Everything they knew seemed to come crashing down when an important figure such as this one was discredited.
Page 101
“Why did the intensity of the Cultural Revolution lessen after 1972?”
7. First of all, the party was unsure of Mao's intentions. The Lin Bao affair also affect the party members' thinking. They recognized the points of critics about the horrors of the Cultural Revolution, and wished to impress the president of the US, Richard Nixon, during his visit.
“How did Lin Bao's fall benefit Zhou Enlai and Deng Xiaoping??”
8. Lin's fall opened up higher positions for Zhou. Deng had earlier been dismissed for being a “capitalist roader,” but because of Lin's fall this worked to his advantage.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
IRL 9
http://www.pbs.org/redfiles/bios/all_bio_joseph_stalin.htm
This source is a biography of Joseph Stalin. It relates to our work in class on Stalin. It adds to our background knowledge of him so that we can better understand why he did the things he did. It discusses his childhood and his deformed arm, which led to his desire for respect. It then transitions this into the life of Stalin that we have already studied, and is consist with what we have learned. PBS is a reputable source and the extension is .org, which means it is not for profit. However, as a television station funded by the government its views may be more biased than most American views on the subject.
This source is a biography of Joseph Stalin. It relates to our work in class on Stalin. It adds to our background knowledge of him so that we can better understand why he did the things he did. It discusses his childhood and his deformed arm, which led to his desire for respect. It then transitions this into the life of Stalin that we have already studied, and is consist with what we have learned. PBS is a reputable source and the extension is .org, which means it is not for profit. However, as a television station funded by the government its views may be more biased than most American views on the subject.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
SGQ8
IBSL2 SGQ8
Guiding questions:
Examine the status of women in two single-party states, each chosen from a different region.
MWH p.415-420
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.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
IRL 8
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8124735.stm
This is an article from the BBC about censorship of the Internet in modern China. It relates to our talks on how modern China is still affected by the Communist Revolution. It adds to our disscussion by providing details on a key moment in time: when the censorship moved from the Internet to the computers themselves. It also describes how the internet bloggers and other users think that the software is a joke, and more a nuisance then an actual threat. The BBC is very reputable, but the people who contribute to the article are not even named, taking away from the value.
Monday, November 23, 2009
SGQ 7
IBSL2 SGQ7
QWs:
Examine the status of women in two single-party states, each chosen from a different region.
In what ways did one ruler of a single-party state try to use education to support his regime?
MWH 369-378
3. How successful was Stalin in solving Russia's political problems?
a. What were Russia's political problems?
i. The government was unpopular with the public.
ii. Stalin and the Communists did not have complete control of the country.
iii. The non-Russian parts of the country wanted to be become independent.
b. The Purges and Great Terror
i. What were the "purges"?
The mass killing and/or expulsion of Stalin's political enemies.
ii. How were the purges justified?
1. Through Kirov's murder by a Communist Party member, which Stalin said was the beginning of assassination attempts against him.
2. Victims were accused of cooperating with Trotsky or plotting against Stalin.
iii. What was the Great Terror? How was it carried out?
The Great Terror was a series of mass expulsions and killings. Victims were put to work in labor camps for apparent treason, and "show trials" were held against former party officials.
c. What was the purpose of the 1936 constitution? How did it work in practice?
The purpose was to have the people choose candidates who we be part of new sections of the government. In practice, those elected had no power and consistently voted almost 100% in favor of Stalin's policies.
d. What was Stalin's two part approach for holding the union together?
a. What were Russia's political problems?
i. The government was unpopular with the public.
ii. Stalin and the Communists did not have complete control of the country.
iii. The non-Russian parts of the country wanted to be become independent.
b. The Purges and Great Terror
i. What were the "purges"?
The mass killing and/or expulsion of Stalin's political enemies.
ii. How were the purges justified?
1. Through Kirov's murder by a Communist Party member, which Stalin said was the beginning of assassination attempts against him.
2. Victims were accused of cooperating with Trotsky or plotting against Stalin.
iii. What was the Great Terror? How was it carried out?
The Great Terror was a series of mass expulsions and killings. Victims were put to work in labor camps for apparent treason, and "show trials" were held against former party officials.
c. What was the purpose of the 1936 constitution? How did it work in practice?
The purpose was to have the people choose candidates who we be part of new sections of the government. In practice, those elected had no power and consistently voted almost 100% in favor of Stalin's policies.
d. What was Stalin's two part approach for holding the union together?
i. He encouraged international cultures and languages.
ii. Moscow was given the ultimate power in all decisions, and discrepancies would be resolved by force.
ii. Moscow was given the ultimate power in all decisions, and discrepancies would be resolved by force.
4. What was everyday life and culture like under Stalin?
a. Why was life hard? i. food: Famine due to bad harvests
ii. housing: Rapid increase in urban population led to bad living conditions
iii. the nomenklatura: Special elite party members that were allowed privileges not available to the general public.
b. What signs of improvement were there?
i. Food supplies improved.
ii. Cheap meals and free clothing at factories.
iii. Free education and health care.
iv. More facilities for leisure.
c. The state, women, and the family
i. Why was life hard for women?
1. There was a high divorce and desertion rate.
2. They still had to manage the family.
ii. What two goals did the government have for women?
1. To be a part of the workforce.
2. To strengthen the family.
iii. What policies did the government adopt towards women?
1. More daycare centers were built.
2. Abortions were made illegal unless dangerous.
3. Maternal leave was allowed.
iv. What was life like for upper-class or well-educated women?
They were masters of th household only, and later learned some of the arts of war in case they needed to take over for men.
d. Education
i. What improvements were made to education?
1. Literacy was improved.
2. More schools were created and a law was passed requiring attendance.
ii. What were some of the goals of education?
1. To improve literacy.
2. To turn the young into perfect Soviet citizens.
e. Religion
i. Was was the Communist view of religion?
It was a way to control the masses.
ii. What actions did the government take towards religious organizations?
They slaughtered thousands of priests and rabbis.
iii. What was the people's reaction to those policies/actions?
They rebelled and eventually religion was allowed because Stalin thought it would be good for patriotism.
f. Literature and theater
Literature was not allowed if it portrayed the Soviet union in a bad light, and Stalin himself sometimes made corrections to books. A similar rule was made for theatre, where those who did not comply were killed.
g. Art, architecture, and music
Art was expected to portray happy workers. Permitted music was determined by Stalin's taste; he once ruined a very popular play with a bad review.
h. The cinema
Film was supposed to be simple but powerful, and incorporate Soviet values. Films that did not find favor with Stalin pushed him to write his own scripts.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
SGQ 6
IBSL2 SGQ6
QWs:
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.
In what ways did one ruler of a single-party state try to use education to support his regime?
MWH 361-368
1. How successful was Stalin in solving Russia's economic problems?
a. What were Russia's economic problems?
Production of heavy industry was low, and the primitive agriculture system could not provide enough food.
b. What were the Five Year Plans?
QWs:
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.
In what ways did one ruler of a single-party state try to use education to support his regime?
MWH 361-368
1. How successful was Stalin in solving Russia's economic problems?
a. What were Russia's economic problems?
Production of heavy industry was low, and the primitive agriculture system could not provide enough food.
b. What were the Five Year Plans?
Production goals set up to be reached within five years by Stalin.
i. How were they carried out?
Industry and agriculture were both taken over by the government. Old capitalist methods were used to encourage worker productivity, such as benefits for better output. Collectivization was utilized for greater agricultural efficiency.
ii. How successful were they? (Provide hard facts as evidence!)
i. How were they carried out?
Industry and agriculture were both taken over by the government. Old capitalist methods were used to encourage worker productivity, such as benefits for better output. Collectivization was utilized for greater agricultural efficiency.
ii. How successful were they? (Provide hard facts as evidence!)
The targets for the plans were consistently reached one year ahead of time. By 1940 they had surpassed Britain in pig-iron (USSR 14.9M tons, Britain 6.7, Germany 18.3) and in steel (USSR 18.4M tons, Britain 10.3, Germany 22.7), and had almost caught to Germany in coal (USSR 164.6M tons, Germany 186, Britain 227).
c. What does collectivization mean?
c. What does collectivization mean?
Collectivization is the process of moving all of the peasants to "collective" farms, where the peasants own the land collectively.
i. How was it carried out?
It was carried out through brute force in the countryside, and forceful collection of all grain harvests.
ii. How successful was it? (Provide hard facts as evidence!)
It was successful in the sense that agriculture became "mechanized." However, in reality total grain production went down from 73.3 million tons in 1928, to 67.6 in 1934. Afterwards it rose to 97.4 in 1937, but the initial plan was a failure. The elimination of the kulaks, who were the best workers, as well as migration to cities and a lack of cooperation by peasants was the cause of the famine in 1932-3 in the Ukraine.
2. How successful was Stalin in solving Russia's political problems?
a. What were Russia's political problems?
i. The government was unpopular with the public.
ii. Stalin and the Communists did not have complete control of the country.
iii. The non-Russian parts of the country wanted to be become independent.
b. The Purges and Great Terror
i. What were the "purges"?
The mass killing and/or expulsion of Stalin's political enemies.
ii. How were the purges justified?
1. Through Kirov's murder by a Communist Party member, which Stalin said was the beginning of assassination attempts against him.
2. Victims were accused of cooperating with Trotsky or plotting against Stalin.
iii. What was the Great Terror? How was it carried out?
The Great Terror was a series of mass expulsions and killings. Victims were put to work in labor camps for apparent treason, and "show trials" were held against former party officials.
c. What was the purpose of the 1936 constitution? How did it work in practice?
The purpose was to have the people choose candidates who we be part of new sections of the government. In practice, those elected had no power and consistently voted almost 100% in favor of Stalin's policies.
d. What was Stalin's two part approach for holding the union together?
i. How was it carried out?
It was carried out through brute force in the countryside, and forceful collection of all grain harvests.
ii. How successful was it? (Provide hard facts as evidence!)
It was successful in the sense that agriculture became "mechanized." However, in reality total grain production went down from 73.3 million tons in 1928, to 67.6 in 1934. Afterwards it rose to 97.4 in 1937, but the initial plan was a failure. The elimination of the kulaks, who were the best workers, as well as migration to cities and a lack of cooperation by peasants was the cause of the famine in 1932-3 in the Ukraine.
2. How successful was Stalin in solving Russia's political problems?
a. What were Russia's political problems?
i. The government was unpopular with the public.
ii. Stalin and the Communists did not have complete control of the country.
iii. The non-Russian parts of the country wanted to be become independent.
b. The Purges and Great Terror
i. What were the "purges"?
The mass killing and/or expulsion of Stalin's political enemies.
ii. How were the purges justified?
1. Through Kirov's murder by a Communist Party member, which Stalin said was the beginning of assassination attempts against him.
2. Victims were accused of cooperating with Trotsky or plotting against Stalin.
iii. What was the Great Terror? How was it carried out?
The Great Terror was a series of mass expulsions and killings. Victims were put to work in labor camps for apparent treason, and "show trials" were held against former party officials.
c. What was the purpose of the 1936 constitution? How did it work in practice?
The purpose was to have the people choose candidates who we be part of new sections of the government. In practice, those elected had no power and consistently voted almost 100% in favor of Stalin's policies.
d. What was Stalin's two part approach for holding the union together?
i. He encouraged international cultures and languages.
ii. Moscow was given the ultimate power in all decisions, and discrepancies would be resolved by force.
ii. Moscow was given the ultimate power in all decisions, and discrepancies would be resolved by force.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
IRL 7
http://www.marxists.org/archive/trotsky/1934/12/kirov.htm
This is a re-distribution of phamplet written by Leon Trotsky in December of 1934, shortly after Kirov was shot. It relates to our investigation of Kirov's murder, adding the viewpoint of one of the most well known leaders of all time, and one who would soon be defeated by Stalin. Trotsky goes into everything that was linked to the assassination, touching base with major political leaders and historical events. The source seems reliable, with no advertisements, and is well cited. The web page was updated fairly recently considering it's a copy of a 75 year old document. However this source is based on a copy of an un-copyrighted publication of the original, whose meaning may have been altered since. The .org extension is also a sign of a good source but the website is called marxist.org so it may have a particular bias in favor or against Stalin.
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