SSI1 129 | Mao's China: A Country in Revolution

In 1949 the People's Republic of China was established, with Mao Zedong at its helm. For the past forty years China has been in almost constant political and cultural turmoil, experiencing the dawn of a republican era, warlord rule, invasion by Japan, and a bloody civil war. The Communists brought an end to the warfare but inaugurated an era of great change to both state and society. This course examines Chinese history under Mao Zedong, focusing on the process and experience of the Chinese Communist Revolution. Topics explored include Mao's life history, the philosophical underpinnings of the revolution, the ways in which the revolution was experienced by people of different backgrounds, and the social and cultural legacy of Mao's vision. Affiliate department: History.