1950 to Now
1950- China attacked U.S. military forces during the Korean War. 1956- Dictator Mao Tse-tung began the Great Leap Forward program. He had false beliefs that groups of unskilled workers could run any farm or factory. As a result, farm production fell greatly, and almost 20,000,000 people starved to death in China. 1964- China exploded its first atomic bomb to show military strength. Vietnam War Period- Communist China helped North Vietnam while the U.S. was helping South Vietnam. 1966-1976- Mao's Cultural Revolution took place from the mid 1960's to mid 1970's. He encouraged his followers to terrorize anyone suspected to be an enemy of the Communists. 10/25/71- The People's Republic of China was admitted to the U.N. China replaced the Taiwanese government that had previously acted as the representative for People's Republic. |
1972- U.S. President Richard Nixon visited China. He met Chairmen Mao Tse-tung and other Chinese government officials. (See YouTube video below for more information.) 1976- Mao Tse-tung is pronounced dead. Deng Hsiao Ping takes the place of Chairmen Mao. Ping gradually loosened control over the economy. He allowed the citizens to start businesses and make money. But, Deng didn't plan on giving up the politcal control of the Communists. 1979- China fought a few minor battles with Vietnam, after Vietnam invaded Cambodia. At the time, Cambodia was allied with China. 1989- One million youth in China peacefully protested the government. Students gathered in Tiananmen Square, unarmed and unprepared for the government to come in with guns, tanks, and bayonets. In our world, it is often that we see the most peaceful groups punished with violence. |