2014 DBQ

The following question is based on the accompanying Documents 1-9.

Using the following documents, analyze the relationship between Chinese peasants and the Chinese Communist Party between circa 1925 and circa 1950. Identify one additional type of document and explain how it would help you assess the relationship between Chinese peasants and the Chinese Communist Party.

Historical background: Japan invaded China in 1937 and occupied large parts of it until Japan’s defeat in the Second World War in 1945. In 1949 the Chinese Communist Party established the People’s Republic of China.

Document 1:

Source: Mao Zedong,

Written report on peasant movement in 1927.

Main Idea:

  • The peasants will rise and destroy the forces that oppress them

Document 2:

Source:
Conversation between a teenaged peasant and his grandfather, from an area controlled by Chinese Communists

1936

Main Idea:

  • The teenager praises the changes brought by the Communists like food and radios
  • The grandfather considers supporting the Communists a crime

Document 3:

Source: Administrative office of the Japanese Army

1941

Main Idea:

  • Chinese Communists organize local guerrilla units
  • Difficult to separate the Communist bandits from the peasants in our efforts to destroy the Communists

Document 4:

Source: Chinese Communist report on Japanese military actions in North China villages, 1942

Main Idea:

  • Japanese attacks on villages
  • Kill, maim and rape
  • Steal

Document 5:

Source: CCP instructions to local party officials

1942

Main Idea:

  • Peasants needed in anti-Japanese war
  • Aid peasants
  • Improve living conditions

Document 6:

Source: William Hinton, United States–born member of a Chinese Communist land reform task force in northern China

1948

Main Idea:

  • Peasants have been armed to fight Japanese
  • But now can demand changes from landlords
  • Land redistribution often results

Document 7:

Source:

Marriage Law of the People’s Republic of China

1950

Main Idea:

  • New democratic marriage system
  • The free choice of partners and monogamy
  • Equal rights for both sexes
  • The protection of women and children

Document 8:

Source: Agrarian Reform Law

1950

Main Idea:

  • Land redistribution
  • From rich to poor

Document 9:

Source: Chinese peasants at a struggle meeting

A peasant woman with her former landlord

Photo circa 1950

Main Idea:

  • The peasant has risen over the landlord
  • The peasant has more power