Changes under Mao: 1949-1963

Learning Objectives:Explain how the role of women changed under Mao between 1949-1957Identify and explain the political changes made by Mao in the years 1949-1957

StarterPropaganda poster:

New view in the rural village, 1953

LO: To examine how the agricultural and industrial reforms altered China between 1949-1957

• How useful is this poster to an historian who wants to study Chinese agriculture under Mao Zedong?

• Describe how the Agrarian Reform Law changed Chinese agriculture?

• Explain how successful the Agrarian Reform Law was?

5 Year PlanRecap: What are the key features of the first 5 Yr.

Plan

LO: To examine how the agricultural and industrial reforms altered China between 1949-1957

• Reasons For Plan

• Types of Industry

• Its successes and failures

• USSR influence

The Role of Women pre 1949

LO: Explain how the role of women changed under Mao between 1949-1957

Lower Class

Middle Class

The Role of Women before 1949

LO: Explain how the role of women changed under Mao between 1949-1957

Generations of females were to suffer not only physical abuse but also other forms of discrimination.

Other problems:

• CHILD-BRIDES

• MARRIAGE-BROKERS

• POLYGAMY

• SALE OF WIVES

• NO LEGAL PROTECTION: on marrying, women became the property of their husbands. Any personal wealth was given over to the husband’s family.

The New Marriage Law of 1 May 1950 gave women legal equality with men. It brought a logical conclusion to the struggle that had started during the May 4th Movement (1919) to bring an end to feudal practices. The CCP first introduced the practice in the Jiangxi Soviet in the early 1930s and at Yenan.

The 1950 Marriage LawLO: Explain how the role of women changed under Mao between 1949-1957

The 1950 Marriage LawLO: Explain how the role of women changed under Mao between 1949-1957

1. Married women were now protected by law. 2. Wives had equal rights with their husbands. 3. Arranged marriages were banned – people could marry for

love. Match-makers were banned. 4. Polygamy [having more than one wife] was banned i.e. having

concubines was forbidden. 5. Child-brides were forbidden. 6. Sale of women was forbidden. 7. Women could now obtain divorces.

The 1950 New Marriage Law more than any other single reform was to transform the lives of China’s

women.

The 1950 Marriage LawLO: Explain how the role of women changed under Mao between 1949-1957

Women now had free choice!

The Marriage Law was accompanied by much

propaganda . . .

Was it all positive though?

Women in EducationLO: Explain how the role of women changed under Mao between 1949-1957

Women in EducationLO: Explain how the role of women changed under Mao between 1949-1957

Bare foot doctors

Women in IndustryLO: Explain how the role of women changed under Mao between 1949-1957

Women were encouraged to play a larger role in developing China’s economy. They were encouraged to develop new skills and to take on new responsibilities.

In these next series of images,

what role do women

have and are they

better off?

BUT: One of the consequences of the 1950 Marriage Law was that women were treated as equal to men in all things and

were expected to cope with the same back-breaking physical labour as men.

BUT: Besides taking on new jobs and responsibilities most women were still

expected to maintain their traditional role within the home by looking after the

family.

Additional Economic, Social and Political

Changes

LO: Explain how the role of women changed under Mao between 1949-1957

• With women now in work, unemployment fell dramatically.

• The eight hour, six day working week was introduced – one weeks paid holiday a year and up to three weeks ‘family visiting’ holiday.

• This was to compensate for lack of choice in work as worked assigned jobs by the state labour offices – often had little regard for ability and was usually for life.

• Residence permits prevented people moving – virtually impossible to move from countryside to city.

• Retirement ages were introduced with Pensions at 60-80% of income.

• Education and health services free for all.