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China since 1949: The communists in control — Syllabus

ICSE · Class 12 · History

What China since 1949: The communists in control covers in ICSE Class 12 History: 4 topics, for the 2026-27 session.

69 questions36 flashcards5 concepts

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4 Topics · ICSE Class 12 History · 2026-27

Topics in China since 1949: The communists in control

1

1. Mao’s takeover and the task of rebuilding China

  • Mao Zedong’s communist forces defeated the Kuomintang in 1949.
  • China in 1949 was devastated by civil war and war with Japan; railways, roads, canals, dykes, food supplies, industry, and agriculture were badly damaged.
  • China had a population of at least 600 million, so rebuilding and controlling the country was an enormous task.
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2. Agricultural change under Mao

  • Agricultural reform began with land redistribution from large landowners to peasants.
  • Some accounts claimed the change was carried out legally and with minimal violence, but later archives showed considerable violence, torture, and execution in some areas.
  • By 1956, about 95 per cent of surviving peasants were in collective farms.
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3. Hundred Flowers and the Cultural Revolution

  • In 1957 Mao launched the Hundred Flowers Campaign with the words: 'Let a hundred flowers bloom and a hundred schools of thought contend'.
  • The campaign encouraged constructive criticism of the government and party cadres.
  • Critics attacked cadre incompetence, over-centralisation, and party undemocratic practices.
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4. Life after Mao: power struggle and reform under Deng Xiaoping

  • After Mao’s death in 1976, a power struggle followed.
  • Three main contestants emerged: Hua Guofeng, Deng Xiaoping, and the Gang of Four led by Jiang Qing.
  • Hua Guofeng was named by Mao as successor and became Supreme Leader briefly.

Key Concepts

Central concept: Communist rule in China after 1949 and its political, economic, and social changes

Mao Zedong and the 1949 communist victoryEarly rebuilding and state powerAgricultural collectivizationIndustrialization under MaoHundred Flowers CampaignGreat Leap ForwardCultural RevolutionPower struggle after Mao

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the important topics in China since 1949: The communists in control for ICSE Class 12 History?
Key topics in China since 1949: The communists in control include Mao’s takeover and the task of rebuilding China, Agricultural change under Mao, Hundred Flowers and the Cultural Revolution, Life after Mao: power struggle and reform under Deng Xiaoping. Study these first, then practise questions on each for the ICSE Class 12 board exam.
How should I revise China since 1949: The communists in control for the ICSE Class 12 board exam?
Learn the core ideas first, then work through the 69 practice questions on China since 1949: The communists in control. Revise definitions regularly and use flashcards for quick recall before the exam.

Sources & Official References

Content is aligned to the official syllabus. Refer to the board website for the latest curriculum.

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