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IGCSE Edexcel History: Mao’s China
Questions and Answers| Updated 2025|
Complete and Verified
Explain how the Great Leap Forward affected China's economy.
It caused a massive drop in farming and industrial output—factories made useless stuff, and
fake harvest figures led to famine.
Assess the political reasons Mao launched the Great Leap Forward.
He wanted China to catch up with the West fast and prove communism worked better than
capitalism or the Soviet model.
How far did the Great Leap Forward succeed in transforming China?
It failed badly—millions starved, the backyard furnaces were a joke, and Mao lost power for
a while after it collapsed.
To what extent did collectivisation improve rural life in China?
It gave the Party more control, but made farming worse. People had less freedom and
motivation, and millions died in the process.
What were the consequences of the Three Antis and Five Antis campaigns for urban workers?
They created fear and paranoia—people were scared to be accused of corruption or
disloyalty, and public confessions became normal.
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Evaluate how far the Hundred Flowers Campaign was really about free speech.
At first, it seemed like free speech—but when people criticised Mao, he clamped down hard.
It looked more like a trap.
How did the failure of the Great Leap Forward affect Mao’s position?
He stepped back from day-to-day politics and let others take over for a while—people like
Liu Shaoqi and Deng Xiaoping.
Why did Mao launch the Cultural Revolution in 1966?
He wanted to take back control, crush opponents in the Party, and revive revolutionary
spirit—especially among the youth.
In what ways were the Red Guards used to strengthen Mao’s authority?
They attacked teachers, officials, and anyone “anti-revolutionary”—basically doing Mao’s
dirty work to wipe out his enemies.
Assess the impact of the Cultural Revolution on education.
Schools and unis shut down for years. Students were sent to the countryside, and when
education returned, it focused more on Mao than on actual learning.
, 3
Explain the role of the “Little Red Book” in spreading Maoist ideas.
Everyone had to carry and quote it—especially the Red Guards. It turned Mao into a godlike
figure and pushed constant loyalty.
How did the PLA help restore order during the later stages of the Cultural Revolution?
They took control after the chaos got too much—even cracking down on Red Guards when
needed. It was military control in disguise.
To what extent did women’s rights improve under Mao after 1949?
Legally, they got more rights—like marriage freedom and land. But in reality, traditional
attitudes and hard labour still held them back.
Why did Mao focus so much on youth during the Cultural Revolution?
Young people were easier to inspire and control—they had no memory of past failures and
would follow Mao without question.
How far did health care improve for ordinary people under Mao?
Rural areas got "barefoot doctors" and basic care improved—but proper hospitals were still
rare, especially in the countryside.
Assess the social effects of the Cultural Revolution on Chinese families.
Families were torn apart—kids reported parents, respect for elders collapsed, and trust
between people broke down.
IGCSE Edexcel History: Mao’s China
Questions and Answers| Updated 2025|
Complete and Verified
Explain how the Great Leap Forward affected China's economy.
It caused a massive drop in farming and industrial output—factories made useless stuff, and
fake harvest figures led to famine.
Assess the political reasons Mao launched the Great Leap Forward.
He wanted China to catch up with the West fast and prove communism worked better than
capitalism or the Soviet model.
How far did the Great Leap Forward succeed in transforming China?
It failed badly—millions starved, the backyard furnaces were a joke, and Mao lost power for
a while after it collapsed.
To what extent did collectivisation improve rural life in China?
It gave the Party more control, but made farming worse. People had less freedom and
motivation, and millions died in the process.
What were the consequences of the Three Antis and Five Antis campaigns for urban workers?
They created fear and paranoia—people were scared to be accused of corruption or
disloyalty, and public confessions became normal.
, 2
Evaluate how far the Hundred Flowers Campaign was really about free speech.
At first, it seemed like free speech—but when people criticised Mao, he clamped down hard.
It looked more like a trap.
How did the failure of the Great Leap Forward affect Mao’s position?
He stepped back from day-to-day politics and let others take over for a while—people like
Liu Shaoqi and Deng Xiaoping.
Why did Mao launch the Cultural Revolution in 1966?
He wanted to take back control, crush opponents in the Party, and revive revolutionary
spirit—especially among the youth.
In what ways were the Red Guards used to strengthen Mao’s authority?
They attacked teachers, officials, and anyone “anti-revolutionary”—basically doing Mao’s
dirty work to wipe out his enemies.
Assess the impact of the Cultural Revolution on education.
Schools and unis shut down for years. Students were sent to the countryside, and when
education returned, it focused more on Mao than on actual learning.
, 3
Explain the role of the “Little Red Book” in spreading Maoist ideas.
Everyone had to carry and quote it—especially the Red Guards. It turned Mao into a godlike
figure and pushed constant loyalty.
How did the PLA help restore order during the later stages of the Cultural Revolution?
They took control after the chaos got too much—even cracking down on Red Guards when
needed. It was military control in disguise.
To what extent did women’s rights improve under Mao after 1949?
Legally, they got more rights—like marriage freedom and land. But in reality, traditional
attitudes and hard labour still held them back.
Why did Mao focus so much on youth during the Cultural Revolution?
Young people were easier to inspire and control—they had no memory of past failures and
would follow Mao without question.
How far did health care improve for ordinary people under Mao?
Rural areas got "barefoot doctors" and basic care improved—but proper hospitals were still
rare, especially in the countryside.
Assess the social effects of the Cultural Revolution on Chinese families.
Families were torn apart—kids reported parents, respect for elders collapsed, and trust
between people broke down.
