China in the 20th Century
Overview
China in the 20th century has been going through enormous changes. From
colonialism and imperialism to republicanism, from communism to capitalism, and from
underdevelopment to a country maintaining over 10% economic growth for over ten
years. In this research paper, I will focus on the transition of China from a Communist
command economy to a type of market economy as well as the economic fluctuations
throughout this period.
In 1949 Oct 1, the People’s Republic of China was established. Before 1949,
there was a period of civil war soon after the world war two. The confrontation was
between the Nationalist Komintang led by Chiang Kai Shek and peasant-based
Communist party led by Mao-Zedong, ended with Chiang’s defeat. Mao became the
leader of China, and he believed that Marxism was the best way to solve China’s social
and economic problems. He wanted to stop the landlords from exploiting the farmers.
Under the rule of the Communist party, the people owned all the economic areas of
China, and these would be controlled by the Communist government. All of the people
would work for the common goal of the country. As a result, Chinese socialism was born.
The pre-communist history of modern China has been essentially one of
weakness, humiliation and failure. This is the atmosphere in which the Communist Party
developed its leadership and early growth. This resulted in strong determination by
chairman Mao to eliminate foreign influence within China, to modernize the country and
envision a strong economy under Communist control. Therefore, a series of radical
reforms were introduced and the social organize was transformed under Communist
control. 2
Economic growth during the first ten years of Mao’s regime was significant.
However, the Great Leap Forward (1958-61) introduced catastrophic changes resulted in
a famine in
China in the 20th century has been going through enormous changes. From
colonialism and imperialism to republicanism, from communism to capitalism, and from
underdevelopment to a country maintaining over 10% economic growth for over ten
years. In this research paper, I will focus on the transition of China from a Communist
command economy to a type of market economy as well as the economic fluctuations
throughout this period.
In 1949 Oct 1, the People’s Republic of China was established. Before 1949,
there was a period of civil war soon after the world war two. The confrontation was
between the Nationalist Komintang led by Chiang Kai Shek and peasant-based
Communist party led by Mao-Zedong, ended with Chiang’s defeat. Mao became the
leader of China, and he believed that Marxism was the best way to solve China’s social
and economic problems. He wanted to stop the landlords from exploiting the farmers.
Under the rule of the Communist party, the people owned all the economic areas of
China, and these would be controlled by the Communist government. All of the people
would work for the common goal of the country. As a result, Chinese socialism was born.
The pre-communist history of modern China has been essentially one of
weakness, humiliation and failure. This is the atmosphere in which the Communist Party
developed its leadership and early growth. This resulted in strong determination by
chairman Mao to eliminate foreign influence within China, to modernize the country and
envision a strong economy under Communist control. Therefore, a series of radical
reforms were introduced and the social organize was transformed under Communist
control. 2
Economic growth during the first ten years of Mao’s regime was significant.
However, the Great Leap Forward (1958-61) introduced catastrophic changes resulted in
a famine in