Modern China

What this unit covers

The resources follow China's story across the twentieth century. Early maps such as China in revolution and How did the Western powers humiliate China? set the scene, while notes on the Double Tenth and Yuan's death cover the fall of the old order. The War with Japan (1937-45) mind map then leads into the civil war between the Guomindang and the Communists.

Where to start

Begin with the Chinese Civil War mind map and the Comparison Between the GMD and CCP map. Together they show who the two sides were and why the Communists won. Then read Mao's Rise to Power for the longer background.

1. Read the civil war and rise-to-power maps.
2. Work through the notes on establishing Communist rule, 1949-57.
3. Move on to agriculture, industry and the The Great Leap Forward (1958-62) map, which covers communes and the exaggerated output figures.
4. Finish with the Cultural Revolution maps and the notes on what followed Mao's death.

Using quizzes and maps together

Read a mind map first, then test yourself. The China (1949-1976) quiz asks about land reform, the treaty signed with the USSR and early campaigns. There are also quizzes on the Civil War, the Hundred Flowers and the second Five Year Plan. Note every question you miss, then go back to the matching map.

Flashcard decks such as Mao's china and China KQ4 are good for recall of causes, results and key terms. Some resources are written for IB, A-level or GCSE History courses, so check the title before you choose.

Where it sits

This unit belongs to the strand The Cold War and the Contemporary World, within History. Most of the resources are made for school students, and teachers can use them as ready-made material for lessons or revision.

Pick one topic today, take a quiz, and then try making a mind map of your own.