WWII & Making of Modern Asia/Pacific: China

The early decades of the PRC were marked by a series of political campaigns and economic policies aimed at consolidating the Communist regime and transforming Chinese society. One of the most significant and tumultuous periods during this time was the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976), a decade-long campaign launched by Mao to preserve Communist ideology by purging capitalist and traditional elements from Chinese society. It had devastating effects on the economy, education, and culture, leaving the country in need of significant rebuilding.

Following the Cultural Revolution, Deng Xiaoping emerged as the key leader in the late 1970s and initiated a series of economic reforms that would fundamentally reshape the Chinese economy. These reforms, known as the "Reform and Opening-Up" policies, included decollectivizing agriculture, allowing private enterprises, and opening China to foreign investment. These changes laid the groundwork for China's rapid economic growth and transformation into a global economic power.