1)Post-War Europe, 1945-49

Human consequences of the War:

-Loss of war: 35-40 million military and civilian deaths.
-Six million Jews perished.
-Male losses led to Europe becoming a continent of women and children.
-Displaced persons: refugees, prisoner of War camp survivors.
-Population transfers/expulsions: over 10 million Germans fled or were expelled
from central and eastern Europe countries between 1945-58.
-Purges of collaborators: In France, the puration lgale 1944-49 let to over 700
executions, but many more were dealt with the puration sauvage, where
resistance leaders targeted those who had worked for the Germans.
-Denazification: dealt with 22 major Nazi figures and resulted in 10 executions.
-Breakdown of morality: starving people willing to break all moral codes to get
their next meal. Looting and theft were common, black market, lawless revenge
on collaborators; children fathered by German soldiers in occupied countries were
treated badly.
Socio-economic consequences:
-Destruction of urban centers and infrastructure: Bomb and occupation damage to
housing, industry, power, water, railway, bridges. Millions of homeless people
were living in the ruins.
-Hunger and chaos across Europe.
-In Germany, over a hundred cities suffered 75% destruction.
-Economic life was broken; cigarettes often replaced money as currency.
Political consequences:
-At the Teheran summit in 1943, private agreement to accept Stalins demand
that the USSR take Eastern Poland.
-October 1944: percentages agreement Churchill meets Stalin. Britain and
USSR would share influence in Hungary and Yugoslavia. Romania and Bulgaria
would be under USSR control and Britain would control Greece.
At Yalta in February 1945 it was agreed: Germany would be demilitarized,
denazified, divided and would have to pay reparations. Democratic elections in
liberated countries.
The division of Europe:
Roosevelts successor, Truman was much more abrasive with the USSR for not
fulfilling the Yalta agreement in Eastern Europe.
- Break down of Grand Alliance:
1.American suspicion:
- Iron Curtain:
- Truman Doctrine (March 1947):
- Marshall Plan (part of the Truman Doctrine).
2. Collapse of cooperation in Germany
Issues on the running of Germany: failure to agree on Germanys future and
reparations
- Berlin Blockade (1948):
->Blocking all access by road and rail from the Western zones to West Berlin to
force the USA out of its sector.
->Division of Germany (1949): East (GDR) and West (FDR)
Then other organisations established:
- Comecon (1949)
- NATO (1949)
- Warsaw Pact (1955)

2)EASTERN, WESTERN EUROPE 1949-73

How and why were there different conditions for social and economic
development in Europe?
How far were the economic models of the Superpowers
emulated/copied/followed?
USA had much less impact of the economic models of Western Europe than the
USSR did in Eastern Europe.
Eastern Europe:
- 1945-53: Stalin imposed communist governments in Poland, Romania, Bulgaria,
Hungary, Czechoslovakia and East Germany
- Then, imposed sovietisation/Stalinisation, nationalisation, collectivisation and
industrialisation
- Controlled trade with Comecon -> through Comecon, the USSR was able to
exploit industries of eastern European countries for her own economic needs ->
industries turned to heavy engineering
- satellite states communist governments - Stalinisation = for economy,
collectivisation and industrialisation Five Year Plans centralised command
economy Communist Party control of social life too - but health, housing,
education and welfare provision equalisation of wealth (but a party elite).
Western Europe:
- USA encouraged private enterprise and free market, promoted its production
model and opposed nationalisation and state intervention
- BUT W. Europe developed a social market economy (mixing free market with
government intervention in welfare) -> third way
- Marshall Aid 1948-52. Social market economies capitalism modified by welfare
provision and government regulation of working conditions education, health
care, social housing, unemployment and sickness benefits some redistribution of
wealth through taxation and welfare.
Spain and Portugal (Greece 1967-74) dictatorships until mid-70s isolated,
though Portugal received Marshall Aid, from EEC remained poor.
What economic and social models were developed in Europe?
Eastern Europe: Soviet/ USSR model
- Centralised economic planning control: resources, banks and factories were own
by the state and workers paid a wage set by the state
- Mainly production of heavy industry: iron/steel, tractors, tanks -> production of
consumer goods (cars fridges) was of lower priority -> little consumer choice of
goods
- Infrastructure was not developed (telephone and road system ignored)
- Full employment (free childcare enabled women to join the workforce) and
inequalities in health reduced, free health care, free education
Western Europe: Social Market Economy
- Social market economy: social and economic system combining free market
capitalism (which supports private enterprise) together with social policies (which
establish both fair competition within the market and a welfare state).
Regional Cooperation and Integration:

- ECSC (1952): union of voluntary states and equal partnership -> integration of
the six coal and steel industries (-> opposite of Comecon)
- EEC (1957): customs union and CAP of 9 countries by 1973
How were the living conditions in the states, blocs and regions of
Europe different between 1949 and 1973?
How did economic development in Eastern and Western Europe compare?
GNP/Capita in:
- Eastern Europe: rose about 4% per year
- Full employment
- Individuals do not benefit of the growth -> Goes to the state
-Living conditions might add more on Party control informers terror
arrest and imprisonment without trial.
- Western Europe: rose about 5% per year
- Unemployment < 3%
- Standard of living rose rapidly -> consumer society
-1949-73 is seen as a Golden Age for Western Europe steady economic
growth, consumerism with increase of domestic appliances, credit,
advertising, low inflation, low unemployment the West German economic
miracle and the boom of the EEC trade. Brought to an end by the Oil Crisis
of 1973 and high inflation of the 70s.
What impact did economic development have on living conditions?
Eastern Europe:
- Growth was in the production of heavy industry (iron/steel, cement, tanks) ->
production of consumer goods was of lower priority
- Central planning demanded quantity and was insensitive to consumer needs and
quality
- Little consumer choice and long waiting lists
Western Europe:
- Standards of living rose rapidly -> consumer society (with proliferation of gadget
such as toasters, washing machines and TVs)
- Increasing employment (because of increasing technology)
- Wages more than doubled (after inflation) and working hours fell
- Boom period -> economic miracle
How far was economic development a driving force for increasing integration in
Europe? (1949-73)
(Low economic development was a factor of the collapse of the dictatorships.)
Eastern Europe
Economic discontent played a part in the 1953 East Berlin riots and the protests in
Poland in 1956 and 1980. It was also a factor in the events of 1989 in Eastern
Europe in Poland and Hungary reforming Communists saw the need to change
the system. Stability in Eastern Europe 1949-89 was imposed by the USSR!
Western Europe
OEEC: USA promoted increase integration to distribute Marshall Aid
Benelux Union: economic logic of abolishing customs duties and creating a
larger free market
ECSC: France fears that West Germanys coal and steel production would outpace
them -> to control the West German economic strength -> Schuman proposed the
ECSC as a way of controlling.

The political factor of a Franco- German reconciliation was also an important

reason
EEC: the desire to promote economic development with customs union was a
major factor -> create a large free trade market
The Six recognised it was in their national interest to give up some sovereignty to
the EEC
Enlargement of EEC (1973)- UK, Ireland and Denmark: -> because of economic
motives -> UK had rejected membership at EEC but 3 years later -> applied
because it realised intra EEC trade expanded much more than UK trade with the
Six.
Riots, crisis and protests- who protested and why?
-East Berlin and East Germany (1953)
-Poland (June 1956)
-Hungary (October 1956)
-Czechoslovakia (1968)

3)Europe, from dictatorship to democracy 1974-95

What were the different reasons for the collapse of dictatorships in Greece,
Portugal and Spain in the 1970s?
Greece:
-Occupied by Germany 1940-44
-Communists led resistance and controlled large areas when Germany withdrew.
-November 1944 Stalin conceded British influence in post-war Greece.
-British troops arrived in Greece to support a restoration of the monarchy
opposed by Communists.
-Greek civil war 1946-49: referendum in 1949 gave narrow majority to restore
monarchy. Communists began rebellion guerrilla war 1947, Britain unable to
finance, turned to USA. Truman doctrine and Marshall Aid supported Greek
government. War ended in October 1949.
-Joined NATO in 1952 and was an important geopolitical ally of USA.
-1949-63 Ruled by a conservative party, Karamanlis. Remained relatively poor,
weak agricultural economy, relying on sale of tobacco, tourism and funds returned
by migrant labour.
-April 1967 a group of army colonels, fearing another elections for the left seized
power -> military dictatorship 1967-74 (martial law, parliament suspended,
freedom limited, leaders arrested, King failed a coup and went into exile, expelled
from the council of Europe)
-The colonels mishandled the Cyprus crisis; Turkish forces invaded Cyprus to
protect the Turkish minority. They had to back down, faced public humiliation and
anger. There were popular protests that led to the return of Karamanlis and a new
democratic constitution.
Democracy established: a relatively smooth transition and confirmation of the
abolition of the monarchy through a referendum. EC membership negotiated 1981
accession. It was a Socialist government in power until 1989 without military
threat.
Portugal
-1932-68 dictatorship of Salazar, neutral in WW2, included in NATO, remained a
poor agricultural economy with high rate of emigration, high illiteracy and infant
mortality, Salazar wanted to keep it that way.
-1968 Caetano took over as dictator
-1968-74 principal issue was to maintain control of Portugals African empire.
Caetano refused to negotiate with the rebels. 200 000 army required 40% of
government budget. Conscription and high mortality made the wars unpopular in
Portugal and in the army
-the 1970s inflation led to strikes
-middle class dissatisfaction with the governments incompetence and Portugals
isolation
-Revolution 1974-76 (the Carnation Revolution, army led by Carvalho to introduce
democracy and end colonial rule). Secret police abolished freedom of press,
political parties restored and independence granted to colonies. But there was a

struggle for power between left and right. Strikes, demos, economic decline as
tourism collapsed, high inflation, Civil War seemed possible in 1975.
Difficult transition to democracy: The issues were how much control would the
army retain, would it intervene to prevent conflict between political groups?
Communism was strong in the South and in Lisbons working class. The church
was still influential.
Democracy established: 1976 a new constitution agreed elections and these were
won by the Socialists led by Soares. 1979 elections saw a peaceful transition of
power to the Centre Alliance. Joined the EEC in 1986.
Spain
-after victory in the Civil War 1936-39 he established a one party state anti-liberal,
anti-socialist/communist, strongly nationalist, cooperated with the Catholic
church, neutral in WW2
-Western nations disapproved Francos repression but they needed him as a Cold
War ally. The USA gave financial and military assistance to Franco in return for
military bases.
-Largely agricultural economy, high illiteracy, emigration of young
-1960s: a more dynamic economy opened Spain to foreign investment. Funds
came from migrant workers and tourism, urbanization (by 1970 only 20% worked
in agriculture), growing middle class wanted greater freedom. Workers wanted
better pay and conditions. Franco eased censorship and allowed a limited mal
vote for the National Assembly.
-Applications to join the EEC were turned down and Spains per capita income was
less than half of the EEC average.
-Transition: Franco died in 1975, designated King Juan Carlos as his successor.
-New King was determined to create a democratic constitutional monarchy.
Political parties formed
-June 1977 elections produced a majority for Conservatives.
-Smooth transition contrasted with the crisis in Portugal.
-Democracy established
-an attempted military coup was quickly condemned by the King and more army
officers remained loyal. This failure strengthened the monarchy and the
democratic process.
-1982 elections saw peaceful transition of power from the Conservatives to the
Socialists
-Joined NATO in 1982 and EEC in 1986
Conclusion
1970s saw transition from dictatorship to democracy in Greece, Portugal and
Spain. In all countries the change was managed by conservatives from the old
regime who recognized the need to change. In the 80s, all three were governed
by Socialist parties, so recently banned.
In all countries (especially Spain) young urban society was ready to move on from
the dictatorship. They wanted an end to cultural isolation.
The catalyst in Greece was the Cyprus crisis, in Portugal the colonial wars and in
Spain Francos death. The three policies had always been aligned with the West in
the Cold war so they were easily integrated into NATO and EEC.
Greece: the leaders of the Junta were arrested, trialed and imprisoned. Greeks
opinion of the military dictatorship is still divided
Portugal: Caetano went into exile in Brazil
Spain: Condemnation of the Francoist regime, historical memory law.

How and why did the communist regimes of central and eastern Europe collapse
in 1989?
How successfully did the newly democratic states meet the challenges of
transition?
What are the challenges? The criteria?
-Democratic elections and development of political parties to replace the one
party system where were the new politicians coming from? What role for the
old Communist Party?
-The rule of law end of arbitrary justice. The reform of the legal system and
police.
-Free press to replace Party propaganda.
-Development of a free social or civil life to replace Party domination.
-A market economy to replace the Communist system. Early problems of
transition inflation, competition, privatisation of state assets, greater inequalities
in wealth.
-International independence.
These were all part of the criteria that states had to meet to join the EU
successfully achieved by
Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, the Baltic States (ex-USSR) and
Slovenia (ex-Yugoslavia) in 2004, by Bulgaria and Romania in 2007 and by Croatia
(ex-Yugoslavia) in 2013.
Apart from the Baltic States, the former USSR republics have had a less successful
transition varying degrees of dictatorship.

4)Europe in the making, 1945 to present day

What were the stages and origins of the European construction between 1945
and 1973?
-Europe had to witness a second catastrophe, World War II (1939-1945), so that it
fully becomes aware of the suicidal absurdity that nationalist rivalry had led the
continent to. The necessity of some type of European integration in a new way to
reorder the European political map became evident.
-In 1946, the former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill pronounced a
celebrated speech at Zurich University (Switzerland). It was considered by many
people as the first step towards European integration in the post-war period. We
must build a kind of United States of Europe. (...) The first step in the recreation of
the European Family must be a partnership between France and Germany."
-The USA promoted the foundation of a centralised European organization that
administered and organised the delivery of the massive economic help of the Plan
Marshall. In 1948, the Organisation for European Economic Cooperation (OEEC)
was established with this aim. This was one of the first institutions that involved a
great part of Western European countries. OEEC helped to liberalise the trade
among the member States, introduced ideas in favour of monetary agreements
and enhanced economic cooperation.
-In 1949, following again an American initiative, most of Western European
democratic States founded, alongside the USA and Canada, the NATO, the great
Western military alliance confronted with the Soviet Union.
-The setting up of the Council of Europe, in 1949, meant another major step
forward. The Council tried to incite political cooperation among European
countries. However, its statutes did not claim as an objective neither the union,

nor the federation of States, and no sort of surrender of sovereignty is expected

from the member States. Their main function has been to reinforce the
democratic system and the human rights in the member States.
-The first step in the process of foundation of the European Community was given
by the French Foreign Minister, Robert Schuman. In a speech (1950) inspired by
Jean Monnet, Schuman proposed that France and Germany and any other
European country wishing to join them pool their coal and steel resources. This
plan of economic integration looked for developing the approach between France
and Germany, moving definitively away the haunt of war in Europe.
-That same year, the French government proposed the establishment of a
European Defence Community (EDC). This project was aborted in 1954, when the
French Legislative Assembly vetoed its application. The EDC, that implied a strong
military and political integration, was substituted by the Western European Union
(WEU). Since NATO and WEU overlap, it has had a minor role in European defence.
In spite of this mishap, the integration process went on. The Treaty of Paris was
signed in April of 1951, establishing the European Coal and Steel Community
(ECSC). The common High Authority common was presided by Jean Monnet. The
Six: France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Low Countries and Luxemburg made up this
first European Community.
What have been the reasons for increasing European integration since 1973?
-General concerns in member states over USA new Cold War hostility to USSR
attempts to revive the Western European Union (WEU) as alternative to NATO.
-General concerns that EC was losing ground to US and Japan needed to be
more competitive and strengthen its decision making create a real single
market.
-1984 Fontainebleau agreement on UK rebate (reduced contribution to EC budget)
removed a dispute that had delayed new developments.
-1985 appointment of Delors (France) as President of the Commission- a dynamic
vision of future determined to take initiative and strengthen Commission
argued supranationalism necessary to create single market and overcome
national economic interests.
-Several reports reflected these concerns 1984 European Parliament approved
the Spinelli Draft ------Treaty on European Union 1985 Dooge Report
recommended strengthening of EC institutions, reduction of national veto and
single market.
-Enlargement to 12 in 1986 emphasised need to improve speed of decision
making make more use of Qualified Majority Voting (QMV).
-1985-6 the Commission produced a plan to complete the single market in goods,
services and capital by the end of 1992 300 measures needed. It identified the
need to have fiscal harmonization (VAT rates), remove physical barriers (border
controls) and technical agreements (harmonise different national standards and
professional qualifications) mutual recognition).
-In the final negotiations Britain, Denmark and Greece agreed to participate rather
than risk being left out of the Single Market.
Results
-1985 Schengen Agreement West Germany, France and Benelux abolished
border controls.
-1986 Single European Act
1) completion of single market in labour, services, goods and capital.
2) New powers environment, research and technology, social policy.
3) QMV had a bigger role used in all the single market decisions and in new
areas of responsibility.
4) Increased role for European Parliament - needed to agree to future
enlargement greater role in discussing legislation.
5) Introduced political cooperation.

Maastricht European Union December 1991

the events of 1989 -90 in Eastern Europe stimulated a response in the EC the
collapse of the Soviet regimes (1989) and German reunification (1990)
emphasised need for common foreign and security policy take advantage of end
of Cold War strengthen EC to counter the new Germany ( 30% of EC GNP).
Treaty on European Union
3 stage route to EMU (UK opt out)
3 pillar structure
1) EC QMV except on taxation matters
2) cooperation on common security and foreign policy unanimity
3) cooperation on home affairs and justice unanimity
new EU citizenship rights of non-nationals to vote in local and European
elections.
Co-decision making increased powers of EP to block or change EU decisions.
Established principle of subsidiarity
A separate Social Charter was agreed outside the Treaty because the UK refused
to accept it (new Labour government did accept it in 1998). Denmark also opted
out of defence cooperation and EMU, and only passed the Treaty at the second
attempt.

5)ColdWar and International relations since 1945

The Cold war was a period of hostility and enmity between the USA and the Soviet
Union. After 1945, wartime allies became enemies, locked in a global struggle
military, political, economic and ideological (capitalism versus communism). It
began with the beginning of the Truman Doctrine in 1947 and ended in 1991
when the Soviet Union collapsed.
While the Cold war itself never escalated into direct confrontation, there were a
number of indirect conflicts related to it (e.g. Vietnam war and Korean War).
Moreover, rival alliance formed. In 1949, NATO was formed to prevent further
communist expansion. The Warsaw pact was created in response to the
acceptance of West Germany in NATO. Nuclear arms race was central to the cold
war. Many feared where the Cold war was going with the belief that the more
nuclear weapons you had, the more powerful you were. Finally, the Cold War was
carried out through massive Soviet and American propaganda campaigns (art
exhibits, sport events) to sell their respective ideologies and consolidate their
own sphere of influence.
What was the cold war?
Levels of conflicts:
China became communist 1949:

Despite USA support to the Nationalists, massive new communist state

had appeared on the map
1.The Korean War 1950:
Invasion of South Korea ->Time for action (North invaded South) -> in 1950
South- East Korea was under Communist control -> Beginning of Korean War.
USA wants to drive out the North troops of the South.
Korean War very close to start a Hot war
Korean War ended in 1953 -> Due to Stalins death Chinese and North Korean
were less confidant.
2.East Germany/Berlin crisis 1953:
East German citizens were rebelling against Stalins policies (unfair
remunerations) -> peoples anger exploded led to strikes on streets
USSR suppressed East Berlin conflicts with tanks -> 40 killed
3.Poland Crisis in 1956:
Polish demonstrators attacked the Polish police because Khrushchev obligated
the workers to produce 25% more than before and food prices increased, while
wages did not + lack of freedom
Khrushchev withdrew the tanks and granted a reform -> Poland remained in
Soviet Pact but got greater freedom in return (more tolerance in terms of religion)
4.Hungarian revolution in 1956:
Causes of the Uprising: Anti- soviet
In Budapest students and workers demanded free speech and pulled down Stalin
statue -> 4 days of fighting
USSR makes agreement with Nagy to withdraw soviet tanks from Budapest ->
begins reforming under the demand of the USSR -> follows more anti-communist
rules
5.Berlin wall crisis 1958-61:
Khrushchev wanted to end 4 power treaty
New president John F. Kennedy in 1961 -> Khrushchev puts pressure on him to
force him out of Berlin
-> Kennedy refuses -> wants to defend Western position and continue American
policy in the West
By 1961 concrete wall was built to close borders
-> Deal is closed
6.Cuban crisis 1962:
USA tried to overthrow Castro by sabotaging Cuban economy -> failure
Khrushchev offered economic and military assistance to Fidel -> to have an
advantage/nuclear balance for Turkey occupied by USA
October crisis: American U-2 spy plane flew over Cuba -> pictures of missile site
in Cuba -> Kennedy choose to blockade
Resolution of the crisis: exchange telegrams between USA and USSR
7.Vietnam War 1964-69:
Domino Theory
Kennedy continues Eisenhowers commitment from 1961-63 but meanwhile S.
Vietnam descends into chaos -> 1960 North sends Vietkong into South ->
guerrilla war against USA + Diem
Johnson > more prepared to commit USA in a full-scale conflict to prevent the
spread of communism
1964: Gulf of Tonkin -> Congress resolution
The Tet Offensive (1986)
Vietnamization and U.S Withdrawal:

Nixon: policy of Vietnamization of the War, promising to withdraw US troops

Nixon Doctrine (1969)
-> Policy of containment had failed
-> Dtente 1969- 1979
Decline of the dtente:
No tension until 1975 (long period of dtente) -> USSR invades Afghanistan ->
Renewed/2nd Cold War
-> New Cold War
New/ 2nd Cold war (1979-85): Confrontation and Tension
- In response to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan: president Carter ended the
trade and missile agreement SALT2 and Soviet trade agreements
- Reagans Policy/ Doctrine
Why did the Cold war end?
What caused the fall of the USSR?
->Resistance to communist/USSR control (1953-81):
->The collapse of communist regimes in Eastern Europe:
-> Degradation of the Iron Curtain
Events leading to the fall of Communism:
Poland: movement of solidarity by 1988 -> protests and strikes were coming
back
- 1989 elections won by Solidarity -> new government
- Smooth transition (separate organisation -> challenged communist)
Romania: most violent transition
- Ceausescu wanted to stay in power -> violence, fighting
->The End of the USSR:
- Reagan: 1985-88: willing to negotiate nuclear disarmament
-> The Soviet Union was officially dissolved in December 1991, creating a Russian
Federation

6) China since 1949

How did a new communist state emerge in Asia?
Why did the Communists come to power in China in 1949?
1644-1911: Qing dynasty -> Xinhai revolution (1911-12). In January 1912, Sun
yat-sen was elected the first President of the Republic of China. Huan Shaikai took
power as a dictator and declared himself emperor of China in 1915. He died in
1916.
Rebellion and chaos (1912-13 / 1913-17)
Warlord era (1916-1927): divided and constantly fighting among each
other. Theres been a rebellion but no stability
Economic changes: US, Br invested there and made improvements: growth of
industry, rise in imports and exports, improved transportation and communication
systems, new crops raised food production, etc

Chinese Communist party:

Founded in 1921 in Shanghai (CCP). It was very small and weak at the beginning
(20s). Most Chinese Communists believed that the revolution must come from the
urban proletariat, but Mao Zedong believed that the peasantry must be the
source of revolution. In 1923, they orchestrated a United Front with the
Kuomintang (KMT).
Kuomintang:
Largest opposition party during the 1920s. It was led by Sun Yat-Sen until his
death in 1925. Chiang Kai-shek was an ally of Sun Yat-Sen and rose through the
ranks to become the head of the Military Academy. He was quickly seen as Suns
successor. He had a more right-wing and nationalist set of beliefs than Sun.

The cooperation between Chiang and the CCP against Japan led to Japans
surrender in September 1945. By 1945, much of Eastern China had been
destroyed by the war. There was hyperinflation, starvation and homelessness.
Floods and war led to a refugee crisis and meanwhile, the Nationalist movement
was considered infamous for corruption and profiteering.
When the Civil war began again in 1946, the Nationalists appeared stronger. They
had a huge superiority in troops (army of 2.8 million against the CCP army of 320
000), equipment, artillery, the CCP had no aircraft and USA supported the
Nationalists against the Communists. They also controlled the more prosperous
and urban parts of China, the coast and the South.
During WWII, USA sees China as a key ally against Japan, but is repeatedly
disillusioned by a corrupted and ineffective Nationalist regime. By 1947, the
increasing unpopularity of the N. regime and the rising size of the CCP Red army
led to the USA suspending all weapons shipments and combat support. At that
time, Stalin did give some weapons to the CCP in 1945 after Japans surrender,
but he feared US intervention and therefore, didnt play a major role.
The Communists had the massive support of peasants and workers. The CCP
encouraged them to overturn landlords and seize land. It had its volunteered army
which was well disciplined and well treating. There were no atrocities and no
looting.
On the other side, the KMT was divided and Chiangs authority disputed. There
was rivalry, corruption and nepotism and it only had a narrow base of support
among rich industrialists and bankers. It had a conscript army that was badly
treated.
By 1949, there was an economic collapse as the cost of army reached 80% of the
governments income. The currency was worthless and even middle classes gave
up on Nationalism. The Communist leader Mao Zedong declared the creation of
the Peoples Republic of China (PRC). The announcement ended the full-scale civil
war between the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the Nationalist Party
(Kuomintang, KMT), which broke out immediately after World War II
Why did the CCP come to power? The Communist had the support of peasants
and workers which were the vast majority of the Chinese population. They were
well treated and the Communists never committed atrocities or looting. On the
other side, the Nationalist movement was completely corrupted, ineffective and
treated badly its army and people. By 1949, Mao comes to power with the
announcement of the creation of the PRC.
How far did China model itself on the Soviet Union initially?

Briefly similar but very different afterwards

Following the Soviet model until 1957 (one party state, totalitarian, repression,
industrialization, agriculture, social,)
When the USSR and China became allied in 1950, USSRs loans and experts
arrived in China. USSR was regarded as the model for the new Communist China.
Foreign businesses and assests were nationalized and a one party state was
established on Soviet model. There was a control of society and economy.
Old customs were abolished and female equality was established. Compulsory
education was established and campaigns to improve literacy (just like USSR did).
As Lenin did, Mao first confiscated land from the landlords and gave it to the
peasants in private ownership but always intended to create state collective
farms. -> 1953 cooperative -> 1956 collective.
5 Year Plan: Mao followed the Soviet model of industrialization, heavy industry,
ignoring consumer goods, food was requisitioned and private businesses and
trade were nationalized.
2nd 5 Year Plan: Broke away from the Soviet model.
Why did China take a different direction so quickly?
During the 5 Year plan, food production increased by only about 3% (1952-57).
Mao wanted to accelerate industrialization and the completion of the communist
state. He was excited by progress made in USSR and wanted to overtake the
western economies. There was a need to feed the growing population which was
rapidly increasing.
Continue the soviet model = continue centralized planning, take more grain from
the peasants, risk discontent.
What was Maoism?
Some elements seen before 1958 in land reforms, anti-campaigns, strong
commitment to egalitarianism, concept of constant revolution.
What differences were there between the Chinese and Soviet systems?
-Decentralised planning (communes
-make the peasants work harder
-Mobilise Chinas greatest resource her population (Mao believed the power of
mass mobilization could overcome economic and material problems.
-Walk on two legs: develop industry and agriculture side by side.
The commune:
-several villages put together, 20 000 or more people.
-organise as a military unit all economic organization (local industry, backyard
furnaces), agriculture, infrastructure projects (dams, irrigation, bridges)
-eliminate all private life, family life, communal child care and care of old people,
dining all together, confiscation of private ustensils and valuable.
The Great Leap Forward:
Assertion of Chinas independence from the USSR. The peasants were to be the
revolutionary force driving China to industrialization and the socialist state.
Why did the GLF fail?
-unrealistic targets: competition between communes (500lbs/acre of land -> 10
000lbs/acres)
-Lysenko (USSR ag. Scientist): plant the grain closer -> rice rooted
-the iron produced in communes was useless because it wasnt pure enough

- Mao didnt use economics, he simply mobilized the population

-large projects were unrealistic too: building quotas, targets
-1959 drought
-inflation 50->59
-1960 break up with USSR. USSR withdrew all grants and experts because they
disapproved the GLF.
Consequences:
-1959-61 famine, 20m ppl died
-ag. Production fell by about 25%, industrial production also fell
-conflict in the party leadership
1962 Mao retreated from leadership
Mao in retreat 1962-66
Gave up presidency -> Liu and Deng took over as economic planner.
-allow communes to be broken up, return to private farming, private businesses,
markets, surplus grain sold, private small businesses. Family and education
reestablished.
-ag and industrial production rose by +/- 5%/year.
Cultural Revolution 1966-69 (79)
Mao launches the Cultural Revolution to return to power and remove Liu + Deng.
Return China to the true path of Communism, removing emerging capitalists
behavior, private markets and businesses, idea of permanent, continuing
revolution must be no rest.
Did the opening up of Chinas economy end the Communist model?
Economic liberalization after 1976
1977-87 Deng took control.
-Gang of 4 arrested, trialed, imprisoned in 81.
-to liberalise the economy, modernize China (agriculture, industry, army,
technology)
(In 1962-66 Deng + Liu had succeeded in economic growth)
-give peasants and workers an incentive to work harder
-people were tired of extremism in Cultural Revolution.
However, Deng refused to consider relaxation of political control.
-closed democracy wall in 1979 to stop criticism
-1989: urged the President to use the army to suppress and disperse the
protestors in Tiananmen Square in Beijing thousands killed and imprisoned.
1997 Dend died 6-8 million political prisoners.