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Access to History The People's Republic of China 1949-76
The second edition of this best-selling title has been revised and updated to reflect the needs of the current specifications. The title charts China's remarkable and tumultuous development from the establishment of the People's Republic in 1949 to Mao's death in 1976. The book examines the
widespread social and economic change that resulted from the Communist revolution, including the changes to agriculture, the five-year plans and the hundred-flowers campaign. It then goes on to look at the reasons for the Cultural Revolution and its legacy. In addition the author analyzes Mao's
status as a political leader and his importance in the domestic developments of China from 1949 to 76. Throughout the book, key dates, terms and issues are highlighted, and historical interpretations of key debates are outlined. Summary diagrams are included to consolidate knowledge and
understanding of the period, and exam-style questions and tips for each examination board provide the opportunity to develop exam skills.
widespread social and economic change that resulted from the Communist revolution, including the changes to agriculture, the five-year plans and the hundred-flowers campaign. It then goes on to look at the reasons for the Cultural Revolution and its legacy. In addition the author analyzes Mao's
status as a political leader and his importance in the domestic developments of China from 1949 to 76. Throughout the book, key dates, terms and issues are highlighted, and historical interpretations of key debates are outlined. Summary diagrams are included to consolidate knowledge and
understanding of the period, and exam-style questions and tips for each examination board provide the opportunity to develop exam skills.
- GenresHistoryNonfictionChina
186 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 15, 2024
By far the best textbook I've had to read for IB History. The diction makes the material very easy to understand and the formatting of the book as a whole does a great job at highlighting the important points and information needed to understand the topic as a whole. This book is a lifesaver and such a relief to read after the horrors of the other ones. I would definitely recommend it. Thank you, Lynch.
September 21, 2026
A really well-written, succinct and practical introductory book to history of China under Mao Zedong. A huge asset of this book are the summary diagrams at the end of each chapter. Great for learning about China for an exam. It's sometimes missing some in-depth analysis and elaboration on certain topic, but that's not a flaw, since it makes the book stay on topic all the time. Some explanations are overly vague and lack important details, but it can be easily compensated with a quick check online. It gives a strong base for further learning about Mao's China.
April 19, 2024
When trying to understand closed regimes, the knowledge of basic facts is fundamental. Outsiders are not very well informed, while people living under its rule often don't know their history due to repression and censorship. The issue is more stringent when cultural barriers are invoked. The People's Republic of China (1949-1976) offers a summary of general and mainstream information focused mostly on Mao's rule, and I recommend it to any reader interested in contemporary affairs.
The Access to History collection consists mostly of handbooks, with an emphasis on logical connections and debate. Each chapter is dedicated to a major PRC theme, such as The Great Leap Forward or the Cultural Revolution. They include a list of characters and major events, an overall explanation, a few organizing concepts and suggestions on how to discuss its themes. These practices make The People's Republic of China (1949-1976) easy for students and the general public to understand.
Let`s look at the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976). Michael Lynch argued that Mao wanted to consolidate his power over the CCP, which was affected by his failed economic plans and to create a new culture, bearing his imprint. The Red Guards were manipulated into attacking any type of Chinese elite, its intellectuals, anyone with higher education, and even members of the Communist Party. The author discusses how today, people in China tend to avoid the subject and forget their pasts, wondering how much of the traditional Chinese culture, a poster of today's regime, still remains.
Another major process was the partial reforms promoted by Deng Xiaoping. Always presented as the survivor, he won the power struggles that followed Mao's death in 1976, and coordinated the economic reforms that made China the second economy in the world (or maybe the first, depending on how GDP is estimated). Michael Lynch points out that the military's support was decisive, reminds the reader that the reforms meant less state involvement, and opening, and notes that in the 1980s, the results were more uneven and controversial than is remembered today. The author describes the Tiananmen Square massacre as a consequence of Deng's unwillingness to entertain political reform, stating that the intention was to stabilize the regime by terror.
A major weakness comes by design. To the informed public, The People`s Republic of China (1949-1976) may be too basic, furnishing simplistic or outdated interpretations on difficult subjects, such as why Mao won the second civil war (1945-1949). For its goals, is an acceptable risk. The debate sections are especially useful and Michael Lynch made me wonder which of the two barriers is more important: the cultural or the political?
The Access to History collection consists mostly of handbooks, with an emphasis on logical connections and debate. Each chapter is dedicated to a major PRC theme, such as The Great Leap Forward or the Cultural Revolution. They include a list of characters and major events, an overall explanation, a few organizing concepts and suggestions on how to discuss its themes. These practices make The People's Republic of China (1949-1976) easy for students and the general public to understand.
Let`s look at the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976). Michael Lynch argued that Mao wanted to consolidate his power over the CCP, which was affected by his failed economic plans and to create a new culture, bearing his imprint. The Red Guards were manipulated into attacking any type of Chinese elite, its intellectuals, anyone with higher education, and even members of the Communist Party. The author discusses how today, people in China tend to avoid the subject and forget their pasts, wondering how much of the traditional Chinese culture, a poster of today's regime, still remains.
Another major process was the partial reforms promoted by Deng Xiaoping. Always presented as the survivor, he won the power struggles that followed Mao's death in 1976, and coordinated the economic reforms that made China the second economy in the world (or maybe the first, depending on how GDP is estimated). Michael Lynch points out that the military's support was decisive, reminds the reader that the reforms meant less state involvement, and opening, and notes that in the 1980s, the results were more uneven and controversial than is remembered today. The author describes the Tiananmen Square massacre as a consequence of Deng's unwillingness to entertain political reform, stating that the intention was to stabilize the regime by terror.
A major weakness comes by design. To the informed public, The People`s Republic of China (1949-1976) may be too basic, furnishing simplistic or outdated interpretations on difficult subjects, such as why Mao won the second civil war (1945-1949). For its goals, is an acceptable risk. The debate sections are especially useful and Michael Lynch made me wonder which of the two barriers is more important: the cultural or the political?
April 23, 2015
Good overall summary for Communist China, slightly modernist but sadly inappropriate at times...
September 11, 2016
Very clearly written :)
March 29, 2017
A highly recommended primer for the modern history of China from Mao to the early years of Deng. #Goodreads
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews