AQA AS HISTORY 7041/2P ||The Transformation of China, 1936–1997 Component 2P The emergence of the People’s Republic of China, 1936–1962 || QUESTIONS & MARKING SCHEME MERGED|| GRADED A+

From a confidential Soviet record of a meeting between Stalin and Chinese Communist Party leaders, Moscow, 27 June 1949. Xinjiang was an independent region within north west China. Liu Shaoqi handed Stalin a letter from Mao Zedong, which thanked Stalin for the enormous aid given to China by the USSR. Stalin said that the USSR had decided to provide China with a further loan of 300 million dollars. The loan will be provided in the form of equipment, machines and various kinds of materials and goods. Stalin said that China should not put off the occupation of Xinjiang because a delay might lead to Western interference in Xinjiang’s affairs. There are large deposits of oil and cotton there, which China needs badly. After taking Xinjiang the Chinese population there should be increased by resettlement in order to develop this huge and rich region and strengthen China’s borders. 5 10 Source B From a written report to the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, by Mao Zedong, 6 June 1950. China is vast and conditions are complex; the revolution triumphed first in certain areas and only later throughout the country. In the old liberated areas, agrarian reform is completed, public order established, work of economic construction has started on the right track, and the life of most working people has improved. On the other hand, in the new liberated areas, more than 400 000 bandits scattered in remote regions have yet to be wiped out, the land problem has not been solved, unemployment remains serious and public order has not been established. The whole Party and nation must strive to bring about improvement. I believe, and so do you all, that we can surely do this in about three years. 5 0 1 With reference to these sources and your understanding of the historical context, which of these two sources is more valuable in explaining problems facing China at the end of the Civil War? [25 marks] 3 IB/M/Jun23/7041/2P Section B Answer either Question 02 or Question 03. Either 0 2 ‘China strengthened its relationship with its neighbours (Korea, Tibet, Taiwan and the USSR) in the years 1949 to 1952.’ Explain why you agree or disagree with this view. [25 marks] or 0 3 ‘Mao’s power in China significantly increased in the years 1952 to 1958.’ Explain why you agree or disagree with this view