Question

Consider the conditions in China during Mao Zedong’s rule (1949 to 1976) and after his rule (1976 to the present). Compare and contrast China during those two periods. In two paragraphs, describe the Chinese economy, politics, and social issues before and after Mao’s rule.

Answer 1

During the Cultural Revolution, Mao closed down all schools and appealed to the youth to help spread his communist ideas. There were confrontations between Mao’s Red Guards and local police, thus threatening another civil war. The Red Guards started oppressing the intellectuals, who were believed to hold anti-communist views. After Mao, Deng Xiaoping came to power and started focusing on agriculture. He put an end to farmer co-ops. Farmers began cultivating land privately, and agricultural profits increased. Job opportunities increased and people started migrating from rural areas to cities. Deng appealed to the youth to go abroad for higher education. He encouraged foreign countries to do business in China. As a result, China’s economy started growing rapidly.