Social History of Maoist China: Conflict and Change, 1949-1976

Felix Wemheuer's new social history of Maoist China covers the period 1949 to 1976, tracing the legacy of the Mao era through the 1980s. It focuses on questions of class, gender, ethnicity, and the urban-rural divide, analyzing the experiences of a range of social groups under Communist rule. It argues that to understand this tumultuous period, we must recognize the many complex challenges facing the People's Republic, but we must not lose sight of the human suffering and political terror that remain the period's abiding memory.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 346 pages
Publication date: 28 March 2019
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

When the Chinese communists assumed power in 1949, they pledged to revolutionize society. The pursuit of a communist society brought about a mix of hope, dreams, and apprehension, accompanied by disillusionment. During this transitional period, the Chinese people exerted significant efforts towards modernization and social transformation, yet faced formidable challenges. Spanning from 1949 to 1976 and subsequently exploring the legacy of the Mao era through the 1980s, Felix Wemheuer delves into the complexities of class, gender, ethnicity, and the urban-rural divide in this fresh social history of Maoist China. He examines the experiences of various social groups under Communist rule, including workers, peasants, local cadres, intellectuals, ethnic minorities, the old elites, men, and women. Wemheuer contends that to comprehend this turbulent era, we must acknowledge the multifaceted challenges faced by the People's Republic. However, we must also remain mindful of the profound human suffering and political terror that continue to shape the memories of many individuals, now peacefully aging across China, who lived through this period.

Weight: 718g
Dimension: 243 x 174 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781107565500