GCSE History: Mao's China 1945–76

This material covers the GCSE History modern depth study of China under Mao Zedong – for example Pearson Edexcel's 'Mao's China, 1945–76'. It follows the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) from its victory in the Civil War to Mao's death in 1976.

You revise why the CCP defeated the Guomindang (GMD) of Jiang Jieshi (Chiang Kai-shek) in the Civil War of 1946–49 – peasant support won through land reform, the tactics of the People's Liberation Army, and the corruption, inflation and unpopularity of the GMD – and the proclamation of the People's Republic of China on 1 October 1949. You then study how the new government established control: the Agrarian Reform Law of 1950 and the violent treatment of landlords, the Three-Antis and Five-Antis campaigns against corruption and business owners, and the Hundred Flowers campaign of 1956–57, which ended in the Anti-Rightist campaign against critics.

The economic part covers the First Five-Year Plan of 1953–57, built with Soviet help around heavy industry, and the Great Leap Forward from 1958: people's communes, backyard furnaces, unscientific farming methods, false reports of output, and the famine of 1959–61 in which tens of millions died. You look at how Liu Shaoqi and Deng Xiaoping led a recovery in the early 1960s and why Mao saw their approach as a threat.

The final part covers the Cultural Revolution from 1966 – the Red Guards, the 'Little Red Book', attacks on the 'Four Olds', the persecution of Liu Shaoqi and others, and the 'Down to the Countryside' movement – the cult of Mao, and social change, including the Marriage Law of 1950 and its effects on women, education and the barefoot doctors in rural health care.

The quiz tests key events, dates and policies, including a chronology question. The flashcards drill the vocabulary. The written work asks for explanations and for a judgement about the impact of Mao's policies. In the oral exam an examiner asks one question at a time and gives brief feedback at the end.

The material is revision practice written by Zestly and is not produced or reviewed by any exam board; check the details of your own specification with your teacher.

• Explain why the Communists won the Chinese Civil War
• Describe how the CCP established control between 1949 and 1957
• Explain the aims and consequences of the Great Leap Forward, including the famine
• Explain why Mao launched the Cultural Revolution and describe its effects
• Describe changes for women, education and health under Mao
• Evaluate the impact of Mao's rule on the Chinese people

Practice material written by Zestly, based on the DfE GCSE history subject content (modern depth study) and options such as Pearson Edexcel 'Mao's China, 1945–76' (GCSE History 1HI0 option 33).