Social reforms transformed the
lives of the Chinese people during
the years 1949-76
Files & media marked essay - social reforms.pdf
To argue that social reforms transformed the lives of the Chinese people during the years
1949-76 is to take the view that by the conclusion of the period, the lives of Chinese had
undertook a marked change in nature and practice. While this view may be challenged due to
the fact that changes to education were often limited in scope the impact of the changes in
culture and education were marginal, it can be supported by the fact that there was still a
noticeable change in all three aspects. As such, this essay will argue that it is correct to a
moderate extent to claim that the lives of the Chinese people during the years 1949-76.
Para 1 →
The education system witnessed numerous reforms during the years 1949-76, which
changed the lives of Chinese people to a significant extent.
In the beginning of the time period, 80% of Chinese
citizens were illiterate; only 30% of males over 7 and 1% of females could read a simple
letter
Between 1949-57, primary schools had increased from 26-64 million and between 1952,
42 million peasants attended winter schools
College entrance abolished exam in 1968
85 percent of all students were proletariat and peasants, and the
other 15% were from the PLA
HOWEVER
emphasis put on practical education made it so that between 1960 and 1970, 130 million
of China's youth stopped attending school or university
‘up to the mountains and down to the villages’ campaign
saw 12 million youths leave their schools in order to go to the countryside.
the quality of education deteriorated throughout the time period as Mao reduced the six-
year school system to two or three
years
Judgement: As a result, the statement that social reforms transformed the lives of the
Chinese people during the years 1949-76 is only correct to a moderate extent since the
Social reforms transformed the lives of the Chinese people during the years 1949-76 1
lives of the Chinese people during
the years 1949-76
Files & media marked essay - social reforms.pdf
To argue that social reforms transformed the lives of the Chinese people during the years
1949-76 is to take the view that by the conclusion of the period, the lives of Chinese had
undertook a marked change in nature and practice. While this view may be challenged due to
the fact that changes to education were often limited in scope the impact of the changes in
culture and education were marginal, it can be supported by the fact that there was still a
noticeable change in all three aspects. As such, this essay will argue that it is correct to a
moderate extent to claim that the lives of the Chinese people during the years 1949-76.
Para 1 →
The education system witnessed numerous reforms during the years 1949-76, which
changed the lives of Chinese people to a significant extent.
In the beginning of the time period, 80% of Chinese
citizens were illiterate; only 30% of males over 7 and 1% of females could read a simple
letter
Between 1949-57, primary schools had increased from 26-64 million and between 1952,
42 million peasants attended winter schools
College entrance abolished exam in 1968
85 percent of all students were proletariat and peasants, and the
other 15% were from the PLA
HOWEVER
emphasis put on practical education made it so that between 1960 and 1970, 130 million
of China's youth stopped attending school or university
‘up to the mountains and down to the villages’ campaign
saw 12 million youths leave their schools in order to go to the countryside.
the quality of education deteriorated throughout the time period as Mao reduced the six-
year school system to two or three
years
Judgement: As a result, the statement that social reforms transformed the lives of the
Chinese people during the years 1949-76 is only correct to a moderate extent since the
Social reforms transformed the lives of the Chinese people during the years 1949-76 1
