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32 Mao’s China, 1945–76

Edexcel GCSE History · 1HI0/32 November 2020, Question 3(b)

1HI0/32November 2020Question 3(b)4 marks

Study Interpretations 1 and 2. They give different views about the achievements of the first Five-Year Plan.

Interpretation 1From China Since 1900 by J Brooman, published in 1988.
The first Five‑Year Plan gave priority to heavy industry, coal and steel. In contrast, China’s light industry, such as food processing, was neglected. This meant the people had to put up with a very slow growth in their living standards and in the availability of consumer goods. The Plan also put Chinese society under a terrific strain. The population of cities rose by 40 million, causing overcrowding and housing problems. Also, many peasants found plenty to complain about in the new style of co‑operatives. The CCP was losing some of its early popularity.
Interpretation 2From China 1900–76 by G Stewart, published in 2006.
The first Five‑Year Plan seems to have been an extraordinary success. There was a lot of good will towards the Plan from the people. The state made good use of the land, as well as the intelligence and energy of the people, to bring about success. Coal production almost doubled and electric power production nearly tripled. Steel production quadrupled. There were more ships and railway engines, and an extraordinary increase in the number of bicycles made. Here were the first steps on the road to industrial transformation.

What is the main difference between these views?

Explain your answer, using details from both interpretations.

More questions on this topic

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  1. 1HI0/32November 2020Question 3(a)8 marks

    Study Sources B and C.

    Source B
    Source B: A government poster published in China in 1957. The caption says, ‘Long live the people’s work and friendship! Paying respects to the builders of the great bridge over the River Yangtze.’

    A government poster published in China in 1957. The caption says, ‘Long live the people’s work and friendship! Paying respects to the builders of the great bridge over the River Yangtze.’

    Source CFrom an article in The Liberation Daily newspaper, 14 December 1956. The Liberation Daily was the official daily newspaper of the Shanghai Communist Party.
    Acts of deliberate damage against industry by counter‑revolutionaries have been growing in the past couple of months. A large number of disturbances have been started by workers in factories. These people are apparently unhappy about their wages and poor living conditions. There is anger over the shortage of food and other essential items for them to buy. Many peasants have also been moving to the city due to the economic Five-Year Plan. This has put further pressure on food supplies and has created more unemployment. Police officers have, therefore, been warned to restrict the numbers of peasants allowed to come into the city.

    How useful are Sources B and C for an enquiry into the achievements of the first Five-Year Plan?

    Explain your answer, using Sources B and C and your knowledge of the historical context.

  2. 1HI0/32November 2020Question 3(c)4 marks
    Interpretation 1From China Since 1900 by J Brooman, published in 1988.
    The first Five‑Year Plan gave priority to heavy industry, coal and steel. In contrast, China’s light industry, such as food processing, was neglected. This meant the people had to put up with a very slow growth in their living standards and in the availability of consumer goods. The Plan also put Chinese society under a terrific strain. The population of cities rose by 40 million, causing overcrowding and housing problems. Also, many peasants found plenty to complain about in the new style of co‑operatives. The CCP was losing some of its early popularity.
    Interpretation 2From China 1900–76 by G Stewart, published in 2006.
    The first Five‑Year Plan seems to have been an extraordinary success. There was a lot of good will towards the Plan from the people. The state made good use of the land, as well as the intelligence and energy of the people, to bring about success. Coal production almost doubled and electric power production nearly tripled. Steel production quadrupled. There were more ships and railway engines, and an extraordinary increase in the number of bicycles made. Here were the first steps on the road to industrial transformation.
    Source B
    Source B: A government poster published in China in 1957. The caption says, ‘Long live the people’s work and friendship! Paying respects to the builders of the great bridge over the River Yangtze.’

    A government poster published in China in 1957. The caption says, ‘Long live the people’s work and friendship! Paying respects to the builders of the great bridge over the River Yangtze.’

    Source CFrom an article in The Liberation Daily newspaper, 14 December 1956. The Liberation Daily was the official daily newspaper of the Shanghai Communist Party.
    Acts of deliberate damage against industry by counter‑revolutionaries have been growing in the past couple of months. A large number of disturbances have been started by workers in factories. These people are apparently unhappy about their wages and poor living conditions. There is anger over the shortage of food and other essential items for them to buy. Many peasants have also been moving to the city due to the economic Five-Year Plan. This has put further pressure on food supplies and has created more unemployment. Police officers have, therefore, been warned to restrict the numbers of peasants allowed to come into the city.

    Suggest one reason why Interpretations 1 and 2 give different views about the achievements of the first Five-Year Plan.

    You may use Sources B and C to help explain your answer.

  3. 1HI0/32November 2020Question 3(d)20 marks
    Interpretation 1From China Since 1900 by J Brooman, published in 1988.
    The first Five‑Year Plan gave priority to heavy industry, coal and steel. In contrast, China’s light industry, such as food processing, was neglected. This meant the people had to put up with a very slow growth in their living standards and in the availability of consumer goods. The Plan also put Chinese society under a terrific strain. The population of cities rose by 40 million, causing overcrowding and housing problems. Also, many peasants found plenty to complain about in the new style of co‑operatives. The CCP was losing some of its early popularity.
    Interpretation 2From China 1900–76 by G Stewart, published in 2006.
    The first Five‑Year Plan seems to have been an extraordinary success. There was a lot of good will towards the Plan from the people. The state made good use of the land, as well as the intelligence and energy of the people, to bring about success. Coal production almost doubled and electric power production nearly tripled. Steel production quadrupled. There were more ships and railway engines, and an extraordinary increase in the number of bicycles made. Here were the first steps on the road to industrial transformation.

    How far do you agree with Interpretation 2 about the achievements of the first Five-Year Plan?

    Explain your answer, using both interpretations and your knowledge of the historical context.

    Total for spelling, punctuation, grammar and use of specialist terminology = 4 marks

  6. 1HI0/32June 2025Question 14 marks

    Study Source A below and then answer Question 1.

    Source A
    Source A: From Report from a Chinese Village by Jan Myrdal, published in 1965. Myrdal was a European who lived in a Chinese village for a month in 1962.

    From Report from a Chinese Village by Jan Myrdal, published in 1965. Myrdal was a European who lived in a Chinese village for a month in 1962.

    Give two things you can infer from Source A about the status of women in China under Mao.

    Complete the table below to explain your answer.