EDEXCEL A-LEVEL HISTORY
Mao's China
1949–76
Option E | Model Essay Collection
Seven essays across Topics 1, 2, 3 and 4
Topic 1: Establishing Communist Control, 1949–57
Q1. To what extent was the Chinese Civil War the primary cause of the economic and social problems facing China in 1949?
Q2. How far do you agree that terror and violence were the most crucial factors in establishing Communist control of China in the years 1949 to 1957?
Q3. How far do you agree that the most significant consequence of the Korean War for the CCP was the strengthening of Communist control over China?
© Marcus Soma 2026. All rights reserved. No part of this resource may be reproduced, redistributed or resold without the author's permission.
, Q6. How far do you agree that by 1956 the CCP had successfully secured the support of most of the Chinese people?
Topic 2: Industrial and Agricultural Changes, 1949–66
Q4. How far do you agree that the First Five-Year Plan was a significant success for China?
Topic 3: The Cultural Revolution and its Aftermath, 1966–76
Q5. How far do you agree that Mao's primary motivation for launching the Cultural Revolution was the removal of his political opponents?
Topic 4: Social and Cultural Changes, 1949–76
Q7. "Life for the people of China improved from 1949–1976." How far do you agree with this statement?
© Marcus Soma 2026. All rights reserved. No part of this resource may be reproduced, redistributed or resold without the author's permission.
, Topic 1: Establishing Communist Control, 1949–57
To what extent was the Chinese Civil War the primary cause of the economic and social problems facing China in 1949?
On the 1st of October 1949, the Chinese Civil War (1945-49) had ended, and the People’s Republic of China was established. There were many problems in
China which the CCP attempted to address. There were agricultural and industrial problems and there were also social problems. There are many reasons
for these problems including WW2 and China’s society. However, the main reason for China’s problems in 1949 was the civil war.
The civil war caused the levels of food to decline creating problems for China. During the war, many peasants had been forcibly conscripted into the
Nationalist forces (GMD) to fight against the communist (CCP). Peasants made up 80% of the population which was one of the main reasons that the
withdrawal from farming was significant. When the peasants went off to fight, crops were not tended to and began to wilt. Wilted crops meant that they had
died out and were unsuitable to be used for food. In addition, many Nationalist officers would steal food from peasant families. This angered lots of peasants
who were also struggling as most of the men had gone to fight in the civil war which meant there were less people to look after livestock. This led to a lack of
food supplies for the families as their livestock had been stolen unlawfully. Consequently, many peasants killed their livestock to prevent the nationalist
from taking them. By the end of the civil war, agricultural production had fallen by 30% lower than its pre-war World War Two level. As a result of this, there
were reports of famine in the Chinese countryside. Crops and livestock were the backbone of agriculture as they provided essential nutrients such as protein
and fibre, removal of the backbone of agriculture, would mean that many families would emaciate weaking them. This would be devastating for the CCP, a
long-term famine meant that the CCP would struggle to strengthen control and to build a functioning society. This could lead to social-chaos with weakened
- peasants fighting over food with huge casualties arising from fights. The elevated level of violence which would weaken China and make it easier for
warlords and the GMD to take over the most vulnerable parts of China and would be able to build opposition up against the newly established government
in China. Civil war appears to be the main reason, given that most of the population lived in the countryside, and they struggled to have enough food which
is the backbone of a functioning society.
World War Two also caused problems for China. In 1945, industrial output was 25% of its pre-war level. This was due to many industrial buildings being
attacked by Japanese aircrafts especially in Chongqing where there was heavy bombing. In addition to this, the Soviet Union had been also heavily damaged
by World War Two and wanted compensation. This led to the dismantling of industrial resources in Manchuria and had shipped them back to the Soviet
Union. Overall, this would mean that China would not be able to produce weapons and vehicle to defend itself against threats from the GMD who were ruling
on Taiwan and from the West especially the US who were anti-communist. This factor was significant but given that 80% of the population were peasants
many relied more on agriculture than on industry and majority of the PLA (China’s army) had been trained in Guerrilla warfare which did not require advanced
or lots of weaponry.
Chinese society was backward which would affect the CCP ability to control their population. Around 80% were illiterate. This was damaging for the Chinse
economy, as a high illiteracy rate meant that the population would not be able to develop industry and agriculture which would require advance technical
knowledge from education, let alone being able to read and write. In addition, to this there around one million Bandits across China. Bandits were known for
attacking individuals and stealing items. A high rate of banditry meant that there was no social stability. A lack of stability would weaken China’s vulnerability
and allow the Nationalist to take over with limited or no opposition as society would not be developed. These were incredibly significant problems for the
© Marcus Soma 2026. All rights reserved. No part of this resource may be reproduced, redistributed or resold without the author's permission.
Mao's China
1949–76
Option E | Model Essay Collection
Seven essays across Topics 1, 2, 3 and 4
Topic 1: Establishing Communist Control, 1949–57
Q1. To what extent was the Chinese Civil War the primary cause of the economic and social problems facing China in 1949?
Q2. How far do you agree that terror and violence were the most crucial factors in establishing Communist control of China in the years 1949 to 1957?
Q3. How far do you agree that the most significant consequence of the Korean War for the CCP was the strengthening of Communist control over China?
© Marcus Soma 2026. All rights reserved. No part of this resource may be reproduced, redistributed or resold without the author's permission.
, Q6. How far do you agree that by 1956 the CCP had successfully secured the support of most of the Chinese people?
Topic 2: Industrial and Agricultural Changes, 1949–66
Q4. How far do you agree that the First Five-Year Plan was a significant success for China?
Topic 3: The Cultural Revolution and its Aftermath, 1966–76
Q5. How far do you agree that Mao's primary motivation for launching the Cultural Revolution was the removal of his political opponents?
Topic 4: Social and Cultural Changes, 1949–76
Q7. "Life for the people of China improved from 1949–1976." How far do you agree with this statement?
© Marcus Soma 2026. All rights reserved. No part of this resource may be reproduced, redistributed or resold without the author's permission.
, Topic 1: Establishing Communist Control, 1949–57
To what extent was the Chinese Civil War the primary cause of the economic and social problems facing China in 1949?
On the 1st of October 1949, the Chinese Civil War (1945-49) had ended, and the People’s Republic of China was established. There were many problems in
China which the CCP attempted to address. There were agricultural and industrial problems and there were also social problems. There are many reasons
for these problems including WW2 and China’s society. However, the main reason for China’s problems in 1949 was the civil war.
The civil war caused the levels of food to decline creating problems for China. During the war, many peasants had been forcibly conscripted into the
Nationalist forces (GMD) to fight against the communist (CCP). Peasants made up 80% of the population which was one of the main reasons that the
withdrawal from farming was significant. When the peasants went off to fight, crops were not tended to and began to wilt. Wilted crops meant that they had
died out and were unsuitable to be used for food. In addition, many Nationalist officers would steal food from peasant families. This angered lots of peasants
who were also struggling as most of the men had gone to fight in the civil war which meant there were less people to look after livestock. This led to a lack of
food supplies for the families as their livestock had been stolen unlawfully. Consequently, many peasants killed their livestock to prevent the nationalist
from taking them. By the end of the civil war, agricultural production had fallen by 30% lower than its pre-war World War Two level. As a result of this, there
were reports of famine in the Chinese countryside. Crops and livestock were the backbone of agriculture as they provided essential nutrients such as protein
and fibre, removal of the backbone of agriculture, would mean that many families would emaciate weaking them. This would be devastating for the CCP, a
long-term famine meant that the CCP would struggle to strengthen control and to build a functioning society. This could lead to social-chaos with weakened
- peasants fighting over food with huge casualties arising from fights. The elevated level of violence which would weaken China and make it easier for
warlords and the GMD to take over the most vulnerable parts of China and would be able to build opposition up against the newly established government
in China. Civil war appears to be the main reason, given that most of the population lived in the countryside, and they struggled to have enough food which
is the backbone of a functioning society.
World War Two also caused problems for China. In 1945, industrial output was 25% of its pre-war level. This was due to many industrial buildings being
attacked by Japanese aircrafts especially in Chongqing where there was heavy bombing. In addition to this, the Soviet Union had been also heavily damaged
by World War Two and wanted compensation. This led to the dismantling of industrial resources in Manchuria and had shipped them back to the Soviet
Union. Overall, this would mean that China would not be able to produce weapons and vehicle to defend itself against threats from the GMD who were ruling
on Taiwan and from the West especially the US who were anti-communist. This factor was significant but given that 80% of the population were peasants
many relied more on agriculture than on industry and majority of the PLA (China’s army) had been trained in Guerrilla warfare which did not require advanced
or lots of weaponry.
Chinese society was backward which would affect the CCP ability to control their population. Around 80% were illiterate. This was damaging for the Chinse
economy, as a high illiteracy rate meant that the population would not be able to develop industry and agriculture which would require advance technical
knowledge from education, let alone being able to read and write. In addition, to this there around one million Bandits across China. Bandits were known for
attacking individuals and stealing items. A high rate of banditry meant that there was no social stability. A lack of stability would weaken China’s vulnerability
and allow the Nationalist to take over with limited or no opposition as society would not be developed. These were incredibly significant problems for the
© Marcus Soma 2026. All rights reserved. No part of this resource may be reproduced, redistributed or resold without the author's permission.
