AS History₇₀₄₁

This option provides for the study in depth of reasons for and the maintenance of Communist rule in China and focuses on the way in which the country was transformed into a modern state. It explores concepts such as authority, Maoism, mass mobilisation and economic control and encourages students to reflect on the relationships between ideology and political change. It also encourages reflection on the ways in which a state might be forced into change and whether economic modernisation is possible without a corresponding political shift.

The Emergence of the People's Republic of China, 1936–1962

The Origins of the Civil War, 1936–1946

• The condition of China in 1936: Japanese expansion in China; Jiang Jieshi and the Guomindang; leadership, ideology and policies
• The Chinese Communist Party: background; Mao's leadership; ideology and policies; hostility to the Guomindang
• The Sino-Japanese war: the Xi'an incident and the Second United Front; political and military co-operation and division in war; the impact of war on China, Jiang Jieshi and the GMD, Mao and the CCP
• The end of the Japanese war: the breakdown of Nationalist/Communist cooperation and outbreak of Civil War; the relative political and military strengths of the two sides

Communist victory and the consolidation of Mao's rule, 1946–1952

• Communist victory: reasons for Communist success; the state of China in the aftermath of war; regional and economic issues; industry and agriculture
• The People's Republic of China: Mao's position in government; the power structure and influence of the CCP; mass party membership; democratic centralism
• The consolidation of power: mass mobilisation campaigns and purges; the role of the PLA; the use of terror and propaganda; land reform; attacks on landlords and land redistribution
• PRC's international position and dealings with neighbours: Korea , Tibet, Taiwan and the USSR

The transition to Socialism, 1952–1962

• Political developments: issues of leadership and purges of the CCP; the 100 Flowers campaign; Mao's resignation as Chairman of PRC
• Economic developments: industry and agriculture; voluntary and compulsory collectivisation; the first Five Year Plan for industry and the Great Leap Forward; purge of Peng Dehuai; reasons for the failure of GLF and its aftermath; debates over economic policy
• Social developments: the destruction of rightists, class enemies and rectification campaigns; women's rights and welfare campaigns; the impact of collectivisation; the famine
• Foreign affairs: Korea; the Sino-Soviet split; clashes and the breakdown of relations between Khrushchev and Mao