Rise of Industrialization, Communism in China

First we must discuss the prerequisites for industrialization. Countries need capital from agricultural surpluses that can be invested in manufacturing. They need the legal code that protects businesses and promotes the concept of progress. A positive attitude toward science and geographic mobility are two other major factors for industrialization.

These prerequisites for industrialization posed a major problem for China and Confucianism. Confucianism was a proagriculture, anti-commercial system that promoted investment in the land rather than the sciences and commerce. It provided an emphasis on moral principles and obligations rather than legal codes, harmony rather than progress, and a veneration of ancestors that hindered geographic mobility. Science, too, was seen as unnecessary and unimportant.

How did China overcome this problem? Communism. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) was formed in 1921, Mao Zedong being the founding member. From 1921 to 1923 the CCP was controlled by the Soviets. During the Northern Expedition, Mao Zedong started an army to face Kaishek and the Nationalists. Zedong was successful and the CCP moved it's headquarters to Shanghai in 1932. The Nationalists tried five different encirclement campaigns -- "The Long March." In 1935 Zendong emerged as the leader.

The CCP would face several challenges before it would become a stable regime. In 1936 the Japanese invaded; which provided a temporary cease fire with the nationalists in order to fight the Japanese. The Japanese invasion would eventually become a part of WWII and the United States became involved when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. In 1941 to 1949, Civil War continued even beffore the Anti-Japanese War ended. On Octover 1, 1949, the Communists formally established the People's Republic of China and Mao Zedong would lead the country for 41 years.

An interesting fact about Zedong: His secret service code name was "8341;" Zedong died at age 83 after 41. Was it planned? We'll never know.