1. Mao's consolidation of power and rule 1949 - 1976
Mao became leader of China in 1949 having achieved victory over the nationalist forces which had fled to Taiwan.
However, Mao still had to consolidate his power and to create a communist state in a country that was devastated from years of civil war and from fighting the Japanese.
a. Consolidation of the communist state (1949–1961)
Once in power the CCP was able to extend its power through a series of campaigns launched...
b. Transition to socialism: successes and failures
Mao's aim was to transform China into a modern power to avoid it being exploited by other countries as had happened previously. At the same time he wanted to create a truly socialist nation. The First...
c. Social developments in China after 1949
Transforming China into a modern Communist state involved the introduction of radical social policies to transform traditional attitudes to women, and also to create an educated and healthy workforce...
d. Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution, 1966
Mao’s ‘Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution’ was launched in May 1966. His declared that his aim was to initiate a revolution at the very heart of traditional Chinese ‘culture’. He wanted to...