In a New York Times article dated February 20th, 1997, author Patrick E. Tyler writes about a political “wizard” who put China on the road to capitalism. The Chinese “capitalist” (this is not capitalism in a western sense, but more of a communist/capitalist mix) Revolution is very significant in the study of world history; especially considering the Maoist form of government it sprang from. Notably, there is one small-statured Chinese leader who this essay will focus on in the context of the revolution: Deng Xiaoping. Although his slightness of size didn’t offer any insight into his grand political stature, an inquiry into his life certainly does. This essay will provide an informative glimpse into the life and times of Deng Xiaoping through a chronological ordering of events. First, a look into Deng’s early life and political momentum will be put forth. Then, a summation of his career under Mao’s rule will shed some light on his track to ultimate political power. Finally, we’ll look at the post-Mao era and how Deng fits into Chinese political history. Each area of focus will also include the relevance to the larger context of the revolution itself.
It is important in studying any political figure to take a careful look into his/her background. This section will explore that idea, as well as illuminating the path to power. In August 1904, Deng was born in the Sichuan province in central China. His parents gave him the name Deng Xiansheng, meaning "early/first" "sage/saint.” His mother’s life ended when Deng was only a young boy. This was likely a contributing factor to Deng’s quick maturation process. When he was five, Deng attended a conservative, private primary school, followed by a more contemporary schooling at ag...
... middle of paper ...
...he annals of Chinese history. From his study-abroad experience, to the Long March, to the tour of Southern China Deng had a long, successful life as a reformist politician. This essay explored the timeline of his life, beginning with his upbringing and early aspirations. His involvement (or non-involvement) in politics throughout Mao’s rule followed. Finally, this paper focused on the post-Mao era, and the tremendous impact Deng had on propelling China into the modern era. As a result, it is not whether one is big or small, a “wizard” or not, but what they accomplish, and in Deng’s case he achieved the heights of political power, the success of economic reforms, and the wholeness of a consistent ideology that he, himself, embodied. Said Deng in 1961, "It doesn't matter whether it's a white cat or a black, I think; a cat that catches mice is a good cat."
Throughout, 1900- 1950 there were a number of changes and continuities in China. From the fall of the dynasties to the rise of the Communist Party, these changes shaped China’s government and society. Although, many political changes were made multiple continuities were held constant such as, consistent rebellions and the lack of democracy.
Gittings, John. The Changing Face of China: From Mao to market. Oxford University Press, 2005.
Besides the modernization of agricultural, in the Deng era, there was a shift from central planning and reliance on heavy industry to consumer-oriented industries and reliance on foreign trade and investment. Some of the new factories were purchased from other countries; some of them were built with local resources. Capitalist enterprise was ac...
Jonathan Spence tells his readers of how Mao Zedong was a remarkable man to say the very least. He grew up a poor farm boy from a small rural town in Shaoshan, China. Mao was originally fated to be a farmer just as his father was. It was by chance that his young wife passed away and he was permitted to continue his education which he valued so greatly. Mao matured in a China that was undergoing a threat from foreign businesses and an unruly class of young people who wanted modernization. Throughout his school years and beyond Mao watched as the nation he lived in continued to change with the immense number of youth who began to westernize. Yet in classes he learned classical Chinese literature, poems, and history. Mao also attained a thorough knowledge of the modern and Western world. This great struggle between modern and classical Chinese is what can be attributed to most of the unrest in China during this time period. His education, determination and infectious personalit...
Fairbank, John King, and Merle Goldman. "The Nationalist Revolution and the Nanjing Government." China: a new history. 2nd enl. ed. Cambridge, Mass.: Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 2006. 279. Print.
Mackerras, Colin. “June Fourth.” Dictionary of the Politics of the People’s Republic of China. 1st ed. 1998.
In the minds of Chinese people, Deng Xiaoping is considered as one of the most powerful leader of the People’s Republic of China from late 1970’s until he died in 1997. His noteworthy efforts to bring back China’s prosperity following the consequences of the Cultural Revolution resulted in the country’s economic, cultural and social expansion. The outcome of his passion and belief in the potential of China is still noticeable today.
China is often referred to as an emerging superpower because of its booming economy, which was carefully developed by Deng. China became self sufficient in the 80s, and continues to produce a majority of manufactured goods, which occurred because of Deng’s idea to put an end to collectivization. The middle class is steadily growing and millions of Chinese people thrive outside of their home country because Deng emphasized higher education. The Chinese leader found the issues in Mao’s government and fixed them, all while maintaining the ideals of his country and communism. Without the guidance of Deng Xiaoping after Mao’s reign, the country with a population of 1.3 billion may not have found the level of prosperity it enjoys
Lampton, David M. The Three Faces of Chinese Power: Might, Money, and Minds. Berkeley: University of California Press, 2008.
...) and bring China under uniform thought as well. Thus, in his attempt to accomplish his goals he placed less emphasis on freedom and more on developing a sturdy political backbone. Deng, on the other hand, wanted to thrust China in the global community for economic fortune at the expense of everything Mao had established. In the process, he brought a freedom and wave of democracy to the People's Republic, endowing the Chinese citizens with dreams of wealth and prosperity that were never even considered in the time of Mao. As China, progresses further into the twenty first century, its role seems quite unclear. A return to Post-revolutionary authoritarian communism seems unlikely, as does the institution of a true democracy but perhaps a new form of stability will arise to grant greater liberty to individuals or possibly even another Tiannenmen lurking in the future.
There is no better way to learn about China's communist revolution than to live it through the eyes of an innocent child whose experiences were based on the author's first-hand experience. Readers learn how every aspect of an individual's life was changed, mostly for the worst during this time. You will also learn why and how Chairman Mao launched the revolution initially, to maintain the communist system he worked hard to create in the 1950's. As the story of Ling unfolded, I realized how it boiled down to people's struggle for existence and survival during Mao's reign, and how lucky we are to have freedom and justice in the United States; values no one should ever take for
Lieberthal, Kenneth (2003). Governing China: From Revolution to Reform. New York City: W.W.Norton and Company
Zhao, S., (2003), ‘Political Liberalization without Democratization: Pan Wei’s proposal for political reform’ Journal of Contemporary China, 12(35): 333–355.
Communism is a system of government, a political ideology that rejects private ownership and promotes a classless, stateless society based on common ownership of all property and the means of production, where by all work is shared and all proceeds are commonly owned. Communism is practised in China, North Korea, Vietnam, Laos and Cuba. However most of the world’s communist governments have been disbanded since the end of World War II. Soon after the Japanese surrendered at the end of World War II, Communist forces began a war against the Kuomintang in China. The Communists gradually gained control of the country and on the 1st October, 1949, Mao Zedong announced the victory of the Communist party and the establishment of the People's Republic of China. China has been ruled by the Communist party ever since.
Kau, Michael Y. China in the Era of Deng Xiaoping: A Decade of Reform. Armonk, NY: M.E. Sharpe, 1993.