Notes for Consolidation of the Communist State (1949–1961) - IB | RevisionDojo
Consolidation of the Communist State (1949–1961) Notes
Establishing Political Control (1949–1953)
After declaring the People’s Republic of China (1949), the CCP built a centralized one-party system with control over the military, courts and media.
The Common Program (1949) acted as a temporary constitution, allowing the CCP to dominate all political decisions.
The Party targeted “counter-revolutionaries” through campaigns that removed former Nationalists, landlords and suspected spies.
New local governments were set up in provinces, towns and villages to strengthen CCP presence in everyday life.
The state expanded the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and used it to enforce policy and suppress opposition.
The Campaign to Suppress Counter-Revolutionaries (also known as Zhenfan movement) was a major political purge launched by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) from 1950 to 1953 to consolidate its control over China after winning the Chinese Civil War. Case study
Political Control and Elimination of Opposition
After the civil war, Mao used the campaign to remove remaining Nationalist supporters, criminals and political rivals, ensuring the CCP held absolute power.
The CCP encouraged citizens to denounce local enemies, turning political loyalty into a form of public participation.
Local governments used quotas for arrests and executions, showing how the campaign was intended to produce visible results.
The movement targeted former landlords, businessmen and officials to remove any possible challenge to Communist rule.
The campaign helped create a climate of fear and obedience, strengthening Mao’s authority during the early years of the PRC.
Social Impact and Mass Mobilization
Public struggle meetings were held in villages and cities, where crowds pressured accused people to confess their crimes.
These events encouraged citizens to participate in political life, teaching them that loyalty to the CCP was essential.
Families of the accused suffered punishment, social isolation and loss of property, reshaping local social hierarchies.
The campaign justified violence as necessary to defend the revolution, normalizing harsh treatment of “class enemies.”
The movement unified the population under a shared revolutionary purpose but also created long-lasting trauma in many communities.
Economic and Social Transformation through Land Reforms (1950–1953)
The CCP introduced the Land Reform Law (1950) to break the power of landlords and redistribute land to poor peasants.
Landlords were publicly accused in struggle sessions, and their land, animals and tools were given to farmers.
By 1952, millions of peasants had received land, dramatically increasing CCP popularity in rural areas.
The reforms weakened traditional elites and ensured peasant loyalty to Communist rule.
After redistribution, the CCP began encouraging peasants to join Mutual Aid Teams, which were early steps toward collectivization.
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What was the purpose of the Common Program (1949)?
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Note
After the establishment of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) quickly moved to consolidate its power through a series of strategic measures:
The Common Program acted as a temporary constitution, giving the CCP authority over all aspects of government and society
A centralized one-party system was formed, with strict control over the military, courts, and media
New local governments were established at every level, from provinces to villages, ensuring CCP presence in daily life
The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) was expanded and used to enforce policies and suppress opposition
DefinitionCommon Program
A temporary constitution adopted in 1949 that gave the Chinese Communist Party broad powers over government and society.
Analogy
Think of the CCP's control system as a giant spider web, where every thread connects back to the central authority of the Party.
