Assess the extent of political, economic and social change since

the death of Mao Zedong.

Deng takes control

• 1978 at the Third Plenum of the Central Committee of the CCP – Deng confirmed as “paramount leader”

• Outmanoeuvred his rivals• Excellent connections in party,State and PLA• Hua demoted to junior Vice Chairman. Gang of 4 arrested.• See page 156 Access to History

To what extent did China change economically after the death of Mao?

1978 – The Four Modernisations1. Reform Agriculture2. Reform Industry3. Reform Defence4. Reform Education 5. Political freedom

“It does not matter whether a cat is black or white, as long as it catches the mouse it is a good cat.”

Deng’s economic aims

• A Ten year plan• Use the market to kickstart China’s economy • Open up trade to the world• Allow development of private businesses• Encourage joint ventures with foreign investment• Hands-off policy• SOEs remain key but greater freedom to

managers and experts• Key phases: 1978-84 Agriculture, 1984+ Industry

How did Agriculture change under Deng?

1. Collectivisation ended. Land rented on 15 year leases to peasants to farm privately

2. Communes and targets replaced by xiang and “household responsibility system” with scope for private profit

3. Grain and meat production improved significantly (Page 160 Access)

4. BUT little incentive to improve land – often leased

How did Industry change under Deng?

1. Education expanded to promote industrial growth and scientific education

- Train a million technical students- Schemes to study in the West (Jung Chang)- But education spend only 10% total spending ($7 per

student) and many students stayed in the West2. Set up Special Economic Zones (SEZs)• Tax concessions to enable them to open up trade to

the world• Exports rose by 500%• Wage incentives introduced to encourage higher

production

BUT ...• No more “iron rice bowl”/ guaranteed jobs – this

led to resistance to change and slow progress eg labour-contract scheme

• Greater rich/poor gap• SOEs no longer had state subsidies – had to be

competitive/ efficient• SEZs led to wealth gap coastal/ western ChinaBUT...• GDP rose by 250% 1979-89

How did Industry change under Deng?

To what extent did China change socially after Mao?

The One Child Policy• Introduced in 1979 against “the enemy in the

womb” – replaced “late, long, few”• 1950s and 60s – population growth had been

encouraged• By 1980 1 billion population and growing –

heading for crisis

The One Child Policy• Minimum age for marriage set at 20 (women), 22

(men)• Had to get approval of xiang and pass test in

family planning!• Privileges for children and families with 1 child

only• BUT ...• Successful in cities but less in rural areas• Enforced abortions• Corruption allegations• Population continues to rise

"It is forbidden to discriminate against, mistreat or abandon baby girls."

To what extent did China change politically after Mao?

• Central Committee 1981 – Mao was 70% right and 30% wrong

• Also – “gross mistakes made during the Cultural Revolution”

• 1981 – Gang of Four Imprisoned• Charged with betraying Mao and the Chinese

Revolution• This marked the end of Maoism• BUT ...

Deng was a hardline communist

The Four Cardinal Principles1. Keep to the Socialist Road2. Uphold the people’s democratic dictatroship3. Uphold leadership by the CCP4. Uphold Marxism-Leninism and MZ Thought

i.e – keep the existing system- Party is entitled to obedience of the people as

leader and shaper of their futures- China needs a period of stability after chaos C.R - Rebuild morale and standing of the CCP

Deng and Protest• The Democracy Wall• The Democracy Movement – called for the rule

of the people• Wei Jingsheng called for the “fifth

modernisation” – jailed for 15 years• Corruption – eg in Heilongjiang – uncovered by a

journalist• 1986 – student protests against corruption, for

democracy and economic change• Led by Feng Lizhi. Hu Yaobang (CCP General

Secretary) sacked

Tiananmen Square

• Read pages 166-172 of Access to HistoryFind out1.Why did the protest in Tiananmen Square take

place in 1989?2.What happened during the protest?3.How did the authorities react?4.What does this event tell us about how far

politics had changed since Mao’s death?5.What is the significance of this event?

Revision/Homework1. Essay question on Key Issue 62. Take part in the Google Docs debate – When

should Mao have died?3. Reading- Article on Mao – Hero or oppressor?- Photocopied chapter on Origins Cultural Revolution- Chapter 5 of Access to History – Social Changes4. Visit the Wiki5. Structure your revision around the key issues6. 3 Thursday factual tests7. My email jhoar1949@googlemail.com