China since 1949: The communists in control

Mao Zedong’s communist forces defeated

Mao Zedong’s communist forces defeated the Kuomintang in 1949, giving the Communists control of China after years of civil war.

Land was taken from large landowners

Land was taken from large landowners and redistributed among peasants, and by 1956 about 95 per cent of surviving peasants were in collective farms.

China began a plan focused on

China began a plan focused on heavy industry such as iron, steel, chemicals, and coal, with Russian help in cash, equipment, and advice.

Mao called for open criticism

Mao called for open criticism with the words, 'Let a hundred flowers bloom and a hundred schools of thought contend', but criticism was soon suppresse

Launched in 1958

Launched in 1958, this policy aimed to increase output through communes, backyard steel furnaces, decentralisation, and mass mobilisation.