Cold war case study: China

THE ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMUNIST CHINA 1949.

By Mlungisi Zwelihle Gumede

Looking back at the causes of the cold which was economic systems namely capitalism and communism as well as Nationalism, each leader of each economic systems wanted to expand its economic system. In 1949 a great political upheaval occurred in China which eventually led to the establishment of people's Republic of China (PRC) and communists party rule, Before China was led by Nationalists and they were challenged by communists movements, They undertook a March of about ten thousands kilometre (km) to the north west of China to escape from Nationalists harassment, this resulted to the emergence of Mao Zedong as a communist leader. In 1946 a civil war broke out between Nationalist and communists as a result therefore the Guomintang (Nationalists) were defeated and forced to flee to Taiwan. Then the communist rule Was established in what became known as the People's Republic of China (PRC) under the leadership of Mao.

When Mao came into power in 1949 he came with some changes, As he got into power he introduced some changes by developing policies which focused on improving industries, agriculture, education and healthy care, he also wanted to change attitudes towards women who had previously regarded as a second class citizens. Mao also introduced a five year plan, in 1952 he introduced a first five year plan in an attempt to improve the economy of China,  as new currency (Yuan) was introduced, prices and wages were fixed to reduce inflation, heavy industries like coal, steel and oil were improved. All these indicated the success of the first five year plan.

Mao began a hundred flowers campaign to ask people to criticise and discuss about China problems and the way ways government was using to change things, his main aims with this campaign was that he wanted freedom of discussion and for ordinary people to get involved in politics and he did not expect much criticism. He wanted people to criticise local leaders and he wanted to punish people who were against Maoism. There were lots of criticism from people about the five year plan and its effects and even Mao was criticised. As a result many people were punished who were highly critical, most critics were arrested, lost their jobs and they were sent to labour camps for re education. This indicated the failure of this campaign.

The great leap forward commenced in 1957 and this was the name given to the second five year plan. The second one aimed to modernize chinas industries and make it to more a powerful industrial country within five years, secondly aimed to modernize chinas agriculture so that it could had more food to feed its growing population. The farmers cooperatives were to be joined together as communes, peasants were forced to use farming methods that they knew it did not suit their land. The commune system meant they no longer received more food or pay for their hard work and this led to to famine, this also indicated a dismal failure of the GLP.

In 1966 Mao began a cultural revolution after the influence of his wife. Mao began cultural revolution after the failure of the (GLP) and he also did this to get rid of all those who opposed communism. Mao forced red-guards (a group of youth) to criticise all those who were against maoism, anyone who developed superiority was considered to be untrustworthy. Mao did all these to create China which had peasants workers,and educated people working together for the good of China. The red guards went to schools and colleges to spread communists ideas and that led to to the closure of schools and colleges, economy started to suffer, this indicated the failure of the cultural revolution which ended in 1968.

The relationship between China and Soviet Union was not an easy one. The main issue of contention was whether it was the USSR or China that was the real leader of the communists world. At first USSR enjoyed relationship with China as Khrushchev aided China economically, however this relationship did not last longer because Mao believed that the Soviet Union was no longer fit to lead the world communists movement. In 1960 Soviet cut off all aid to China and to add on this these two countries had developed a deep hatred to each other. The relationship between China and USA was not good because China was a communist and USA a capitalits and China assisted during Vietnam war and this irritated the Chinese and they became enemies.

The relationship between China and Tibet was not good because Red-guards occupied Tibet and forced Dalai lam to sign a treaty recognising Chinese control. The relation started by being good between China and Vietnam because China assisted north Vietnam in the war, Tension began when China seized Vietnam helped to overthrow chinas Ally in Cambodia.The relationship between China and India was not good because China attacked India after showing its strength.  China forced some Nationalist to Taiwan.

references

Stephenson CA, Mbasini T, Frank F, Pilley R, Hlongwane J,2013,new generation,art printers.

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