Chinese+Political+History+_+Jennifer+and+Emily

=__China's Political History__= = = = = = = = = = = 1.What is communism and how did it begin in China? A system of government in which the state plans and controls the economy and a single, often authoritarian party holds power, claiming to make progress toward a higher social order in which all goods are equally shared by the people. Communism is designed to allow the poor to rise up and attain financial and social status equal to that of the middle-class landowners. The Communist Party of China (CPC) or the Chinese Communist Party, was founded in July 1921, Shanghai and came into power in 1949.

2. Who is Chairman Mao? Mao Zedong (Chairman Mao) was born on December 26, 1893, in Shaoshan, Hunan Province. Mao Zedong graduated from the First Provincial Normal School of Hunan. He then became the headmaster of a school and was invovled in provincial cultural and education agitation. In 1921, Chairman Mao was one of the founders of the Chinese Communist Party and later on in 1949, was the founder of the People's republic of China. Chairman Mao was the leader of the Chinese Revolution however Mao suffered lung infections and heart attacks. His conditions got worse and on the 9th of September, 1976, Chairman Mao died ending his 31 years in office and control of China. Chairman Mao was a major influence to China, though some did not like the was Mao ruled the country and were punished and made to like it and follow it. Under the ruling of Mao, China had and saw many significant changes. These changes include doubling the population (approx. 550 million to 900 million), the promotion of the womens' statuses, abolishing unemployment and many more changes.

3. What was life like for the Chinese poeple between 1930-1980? Life for many families during the year 1930 to 1980 was life changing. The desperation of food and money was inaccountable, as seen in the novel itself 'Mao's Last Dancer' as we are taken into the world of the serving families of China during the revolution. The communist theorey was for the country to be treated equally and given equally, with everyone having food and a job but this never matched the families of China's needs.

4. What is The Long March? The Long March was an historic journey of 6,000 miles. Communist army forces fled their bases in Jiangxi province in the south of China. Surrounded by the Nationalist army of Chiang Kai-shek, around 80,000 soldiers of the Mao’s Army escaped and headed north. Only 8,000 to 9,000 survived the trek, which ended in the establishment of a new Communist base in Yan'an. The Long March became the central event in Chinese revolutionary mythology. It became a metaphor for the revolution itself, and was a source of inspiration for Red Guards on their own new long marches.

5. What was the rulling structure in China before communism? Prior communism, the ruling structure was simply known as a dynasty. Emperors ruled China and the last dynasty was the Qing Dynasty and it is dated that it lasted from the year 1644 to 1912.

6. Outline historical Chinese achievements. Some achievements can be categorised into inventions. Some of these include paper, matches, silk material, gunpowder, fireworks, ink, the compass, the decimal system often used in maths, the convenient folding umbrella and lots more inventions. China also built the Great Wall which goes on for thousands of kilometres and prevented enemies getting through.

7. How has China changed today? What is life like in China now? It can be said that China has changed significantly and continues to change at an alarming rate. Changes range from the steadily increasing population of China has increato the 20th Century modern technology. The development of technology enables many families are able to communicate with others in ways they could never think about in the 1930's, travel across China and visit friends and families. The increasing population lead to a demand of supplies and neccesary needs from the government to support the growing family and because of this China;s government has enforced a 1 child policy to slowly increase and monitor the population of China. China has changed signifiicantly for the future. China still remains communist country. During Mao's ruling the standard of living increased, today China has some of the poorest people and the world's richest people. In the rural areas of China, many families struggle, like Li Cunxin's family, to put food on the table, get clean water and pay for education for their children. Whilst in the urban and city regionals and along the coast of China, families afford more than what they need. China's lifestyle compared to the Western's lifestyle can never be the same but at the same time, its not all that different.