Essay Question 1 (50%)

Mao Zedong’s Mass Line is an essential concept throughout the history of the CCP and the history of the PRC.

What is Maoism and what is the Mass Line? What role did they play in the Second Sino-Japanese War, the Civil War, the 1950s’ Mass Political Campaigns, the Great Leap Forward, and the Cultural Revolution?

Because of the Mass Line, Mao conducted a number of line struggles against other CCP leaders. We know that a “line struggle” is different from a factional struggle. What are their differences? Describe two typical “line” struggles within the CCP.

Essay Question 2 (50%) (Make sure to Use Your Reader)

“On the People’s Democratic Dictatorship” is a crucial document that summarized the past history and laid out the future direction for CCP in building the People’s Republic of China.

What is “People’s Democratic Dictatorship”? Who enjoy democracy? How is it exercised? Who are to be put under dictatorship?

What concrete domestic and foreign policies did Mao Zedong lay out in this document?

And, how did these policies influence the history of China?

Bonus Question (10%)

Given your knowledge of Chinese history and your understanding of China’s current situation (e.g. limited resources, vast population, the increasingly competitive global environment), what [do you think] is a viable political system for China?