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Mao Zedong Becomes Leader of China
The Communist Party of China takes full control of China's mainland and establishes the People's Republic of China. Mao Zedong is the leader of the Communist Party of China. Naturally, Mao Zedong becomes the leader of the newly founded People's Rebublic of China. Due to the takeover of the Communist Party of China, the former government, ruled by Chinese Nationalist and called the Republic of China, move their government to Taiwan. -
Chinese Nationalist Move Government to Taiwan
Due to the takeover of the Communist Party of China, the former government, ruled by Chinese Nationalist and called the Republic of China, move their government to Taiwan. However, the communists on mainland China still claimed the right to rule Taiwan. But, the Chinese Nationalists on Taiwan claimed to right to rule mainland China. The Nationalists in Taiwan decide to follow the free enterprise system. Taiwan's free enterprise economy becomes the strongest in Asia quickly. -
China Annexes Tibet
In 1949 the People's Liberation Army of the People's Republic of China first crosses over into Tibet. The army then defeated the small Tibetan army and occupied half of the country. In 1951 the Chinese government imposed the "17-Point Agreement for the Peaceful Liberation of Tibet" on the Tibetan government. The presence of 40000 troops in Tibet, the threat of the immediate occupation of Lhasa, and the prospect of immediate obliteration left the Tibetans little choice. -
Mao Zedong Launchs Five Year Economic Plan Called the "Great Leap Forward"
In 1958, Mao Zedong introduced his five year economic plan called the "Great Leap Forward." Farming was collectivised and labor-intensive industry is introduced. The plan turned out to be a great leap backward. The drive produces economic breakdown and is abandoned after two years.The communists rushed to increase production by forcing people to work on large communes, but they ignored the need for experience and training. Many products that were created were of poor quality and useless. -
"Great Leap Forward" Causes Mass Famine
Due to Mao Zedong's "Great Leap Forward" five year economic plan, mass famine throughout China is caused. From 1959-1961 an estimated 30 million died of starvation. This was caused by the focus on industry took farmers away from farming. At the same time, poor weather destroyed crops resulting in a severe food shortage. -
Mao Zedong Introduces Cultural Revolution
In 1966 Mao Zedong indroduced his new policy, known as the Cultural Revolution. He planned to create an entirely new society with no relations to the past. He started by closing down schools and encouraging students to rebel against their families and teachers. The youth formed groups of radicals called the Red Guards. The Red Guards destroyed many of China's ancient structures. They also beat and imprisoned many Chinese doctors, artists, and professors. It was not until 1976 that this ended. -
Nixon Visits China
In 1972 President Richard Nixon became the first American President to visit China. Nixon arrives in Beijing and meets Mao Zedong. They talk and discuss the Vietnam war and attempt to make agreement in which the United States calls for early peace in Vietnam. The trip opened up trade and ended separation between the two nations who had once been foes. -
Chinses Government Imposes One Child Policy
In 1979 the Chinese government imposed the one child policy. Soon after the creation of the People's Republic of China, improved medicine and sanitation caused rapid population growth. And before long, the population growth started to take a toll on China's food supply. From 1979 the One Child Policy has prevented about 250 million child births, saving the nation from population explosion. -
Hong Kong Rejoins China
In 1997 China regained control of Hong Kong, which had been a colony of the Brittish Empire since the late 1800s. Hong Kong had been a center for banking, trade, and shipping for a long extent of time. China agreed to permit the economy of Hong Kong to carry on without changes for the next 50 years. China also allowed Hong Kong to largely govern itself during this span of time. -
China Hosts the 2008 Summer Olympics
In 2008 China hosted the 29th Summer Olympics. (49th Olympics) The Olympics were hosted in Beijing, China's capital. This symbolized that China is evolving from the radical communist nation it once was. At the Olympics it was shown that the rising China poses no danger to the rest of the world. Not only that, but by hosting the Olympics China has shown they are more open and are lessening their grip on their people.
