chapter 21

• China’s revolution represented the real beginning of that country's emergence from a century of imperialist humiliation and semi-colonial rule, the development of a distinctive Chinese approach to modern development, and its return to a position of prominence on the global stage
• The Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution

  The Great Leap Forward, wanted to quickly transform China from an agricultural society into a socialist society by fast industrializing as well as collectivizing. It promoted small scale industrialization in the rural areas rather than focusing wholly on large enterprises in the cities. It wanted total education rather than focusing on the elite. The Cultural Revolution, wished to affirm Mao's control of China and get rid of understood elite and capitalist characteristics from Chinese culture. Both of these movements had heartbreaking effects, that led to famine, economic instability, and social disorder
• Search for enemies

  Mao rebels against communism thinking it had turned capitalist. Communists faced violence and shame
• Chinese Cultural Revolution

  Discredited socialism
• People’s communes

  Social equality, collective living
• Building Socialism In China

  1. Pros; soviet communist ally, experienced leaders, support throughout the country not just in cities or among peasants

  2. Cons; economic struggles through larger populations, smaller industrial base, less agricultural land, lack of literacy & education, lack of transportation, build modern society from ground up
• Milestones of the Past Century

  • Internal European Tragedies in the First Half of the 20th Century; war, holocaust, and economic collapse
  • The Rebuilding of Europe main factors; resiliency of an established industrial society (core ideas of industrialization remained even with destruction) allowed for quick recovery
  • Ability of major western countries to merge their recovering economies and set aside nationalism for the greater good (EEC)
  • The United States exercising global leadership through rebuilding and reshaping Europe’s economics
  • The European Economic Community was made to bring economic integration among the countries in this organization. It brought the creation of the European Union and a more Unified European identity
  • The Marshall Plan was the United States drive to help Western Europe after World War II, and provide them with financial and economic stability to help them rebuild. It was made to prevent the spread of communism through the Soviet Union and to foster economic security. It soon led to America not only being tied to Europe economically but politically and through military triggering NATO
  • The North Atlantic Treaty Organization was a military alliance of the Western countries in Europe, as well as the United States, and Canada. They aligned to go against the threat of the Soviet Union and their spread
  • Japan was occupied by the U.S. and their economy recovered to its industrialized state causing the country to become an economic giant. America forced a democratic constitution that made them reliant on the U.S. for military security
  • The Soviet Union also recovered through mass labor, spoils of war, agricultural production, military expenses
  • The "spoils of war" were the material and non-physical benefits that the allies gained from winning the war. These advantages include territory and border changes, raw materials, economic advantages, political influence, and the establishment of the United Nations. These advantages shaped the world after the war ended
  • The Warsaw Pact was a military alliance of Eastern European countries, led by the Soviet Union, which was created after the west made NATO. It was their response to the west and these alliances were a main factor of the Cold War
• The Cold War


  Was a standstill between the United States and the Soviet Union. They both had atomic weapons and intense rivalry. The United States was protecting the western side of Europe and trying to keep communism out of Europe
• Civil war threatened China

  Mao was forced to call in the military to restore order and the communist party control
• The Cold War was a standstill between the United States and the Soviet Union. They both had atomic weapons and intense rivalry. The United States was protecting the western side of Europe and trying to keep communism out of Europe. The Soviets were controlling the eastern side and trying to keep capitalism out of Europe. Although they never had any physical contact they fought by trying to have the most advanced weapons
• Chinese Cultural Revolution discredited socialism
• North Korean Invasion of South Korea

  Lead to U.S. and Chinese involvement
• Vietnam military efforts


  Called for American intervention due to the fear of communist victories and expansion, supported by the Soviets and China
• Events during the Cold War

  • North Korean Invasion of South Korea
  • Vietnam military efforts
  • Afghanistan war
  • Cuban Missile Crisis
  • Cuban Revolution
• Hot Wars

  The extension of communism into China globalized the Cold War and led to many other conflicts
• Afghanistan war


  Marxist party took over but faced opposition due to their plan to liberate women, Soviets went into a war they couldn't win, leading to the collapse of the communist government in Afghanistan
• Cuban Revolution


  Transformed Cuba into a Marxist and Socialist State, led by Fidel Castro, redistributed land, increased wages, and lowered rents
• Cuban Missile Crisis


  Soviet Leader stationed nuclear weapons in Cuba, leading to a standstill with the U.S., resolved through an agreement
• The Cuban Missile Crisis


  Gave way to a nuclear arms race
• “Atomic weapons can hardly be used without spelling the end of the world”
• Knowledge of these weapons is why the superpowers have never unleashed shooting on each other because it would “produce only losers”
• Global weaponry of around 60,000 nuclear weapons delivered by submarines, bomber aircraft, and missiles
• The Soviet Union tried to collect previously colonized countries and turn them communist

  Causing U.S. intervention, support for anti-communist groups
• United States was accomplished in stopping the worldwide takeover of communism, the only country to escape physical devastation of war on its own soil, and had the world's most productive economy
• Soviet Union was in chaos, realization of Stalin’s crimes shocked communists everywhere, countries protested for removal of Soviet communist control, and experienced more bitter and divisive conflict than the west
• Soviet Union against alternate communist Giant, China

  Due to territory, ideas, leadership rivalry
• Invaded "allies" to avoid being overthrown
• China developed atomic weapons and the two almost went to war
• Against alternate communist Giant, China due to

  Territory, ideas, leadership rivalry
• Decided not to give China their promised nuclear bomb prototype or help them
• Marxists thought socialism destroyed nationalism and capitalism
• Cold war and the Soviets reaction to it was seen as a struggle of tyranny versus freedom and ruined communist reputation as a reasonable alternative to capitalism
• Experienced more bitter and divisive conflict than the west even though the west was seen as greedy and competitive
• China nearly went to war with Soviets and did go to war against Vietnam
• This proved even though communism was meant to destroy nationalism, nationalism was more powerful as the communists turned on each other
• Decolonization: The colonies struggle for independence against racism, poverty, subordination, and colonial rule. Mobilized people into political activity, violence, and warfare. It was seen as the reason for why empire and race could not be considered as a base for political or social life. Many empires willingly abandoned their right to rule. However Hawaii rather than gain independence wanted to become one of the United States
• Communism still held power despite internal issues
• Imperialism dissolved with the end of colonialism
• The new nations claimed an international status equivalent to that of their former rulers
• Asserted political independence and the vitality of their cultures which was submerged