GIA SALKOW
CHINA
NOTES
2022/2023
1
, China
Until 1949, the focus of the Cold War was between the United States and the Soviet Union,
and it was centered in Europe.
This changed in 1949 when China became the second largest country to become a Marxist
state.
When it happened, it appeared as if the communist side in the Cold War had gained a
significant advantage.
The Cold War took on a global dimension.
Chinese domination of the Asian mainland and its shift towards communism, the United
States feared that communism would now spread throughout Asia.
Thus, the United States became involved in conflicts in Asia.
How did China rise as a world power after 1949.
After ww2= China was in political disunity and weakness.
• No central government to maintain control
However it emerged as a second major country in the world to become communist.
• After 1949= communist state
Soviet gained important advantage
v USSR welcomed the PCR as an ally.
Americans saw it as a win for the USSR and communism
The establishment of communist power in 1949.
CCP was established in 1921: Lead by Mao Zedong.
• CCP involved in war against kuomintang (nationalists): lead by chiang Kai shek.
Civil war 1927-1949
• Brief period where both sides fight together against Japanese invasion of China
(1937-45)
CCP was weak and was forced to retreat from Nationalist armies to Taiwan.
2
, • But the cop built up support there among the peasants by introducing land reform
policies.
After Japan war= civil war started again and CCP began to defeat the nationalists.
• October 1949= the forces of the ccp (red army) ,marched into Beijing and mao
announced the establishment of the PRC.
Established a separate government in Taiwan called the nationalist China.
West ❌ communist government
West ✅ nationalalist China until 1979
Establishment of communist state.
• Once in power= communist introduce changes
• China became one party state (Mao had lots of power)
• Communes (collective farms) replaced private landownership
• Literacy skills improved.
How did China become a Communist power?
v China had been involved in a civil war since the 1920s.
1. The nationalists (Guomindang), led by Chiang Kai Shek, were essentially corrupt and
out of touch with the needs of the people.
2. The Chinese communists, led by Mao Zedong, opposed the nationalists.
In 1931, Japan invaded and conquered Manchuria, a province in the northeast of China.
By 1937, Japan had conquered virtually the entire eastern half of China, including the
industrial cities of Shanghai, Beijing and Nanking.
Both the nationalists and communists joined together during the Second World War to fight
against Japan.
However, after Japan had been defeated in 1945 at the end of the Second World War, the
Chinese civil war continued.
The Soviet Union armed the communists and the Allies (United States and Britain)
supported the nationalists.
Chiang Kai Shek’s army received aid and assistance from the USA in order to try and defeat
the communists under Mao Zedong.
3
CHINA
NOTES
2022/2023
1
, China
Until 1949, the focus of the Cold War was between the United States and the Soviet Union,
and it was centered in Europe.
This changed in 1949 when China became the second largest country to become a Marxist
state.
When it happened, it appeared as if the communist side in the Cold War had gained a
significant advantage.
The Cold War took on a global dimension.
Chinese domination of the Asian mainland and its shift towards communism, the United
States feared that communism would now spread throughout Asia.
Thus, the United States became involved in conflicts in Asia.
How did China rise as a world power after 1949.
After ww2= China was in political disunity and weakness.
• No central government to maintain control
However it emerged as a second major country in the world to become communist.
• After 1949= communist state
Soviet gained important advantage
v USSR welcomed the PCR as an ally.
Americans saw it as a win for the USSR and communism
The establishment of communist power in 1949.
CCP was established in 1921: Lead by Mao Zedong.
• CCP involved in war against kuomintang (nationalists): lead by chiang Kai shek.
Civil war 1927-1949
• Brief period where both sides fight together against Japanese invasion of China
(1937-45)
CCP was weak and was forced to retreat from Nationalist armies to Taiwan.
2
, • But the cop built up support there among the peasants by introducing land reform
policies.
After Japan war= civil war started again and CCP began to defeat the nationalists.
• October 1949= the forces of the ccp (red army) ,marched into Beijing and mao
announced the establishment of the PRC.
Established a separate government in Taiwan called the nationalist China.
West ❌ communist government
West ✅ nationalalist China until 1979
Establishment of communist state.
• Once in power= communist introduce changes
• China became one party state (Mao had lots of power)
• Communes (collective farms) replaced private landownership
• Literacy skills improved.
How did China become a Communist power?
v China had been involved in a civil war since the 1920s.
1. The nationalists (Guomindang), led by Chiang Kai Shek, were essentially corrupt and
out of touch with the needs of the people.
2. The Chinese communists, led by Mao Zedong, opposed the nationalists.
In 1931, Japan invaded and conquered Manchuria, a province in the northeast of China.
By 1937, Japan had conquered virtually the entire eastern half of China, including the
industrial cities of Shanghai, Beijing and Nanking.
Both the nationalists and communists joined together during the Second World War to fight
against Japan.
However, after Japan had been defeated in 1945 at the end of the Second World War, the
Chinese civil war continued.
The Soviet Union armed the communists and the Allies (United States and Britain)
supported the nationalists.
Chiang Kai Shek’s army received aid and assistance from the USA in order to try and defeat
the communists under Mao Zedong.
3
