World Depth Study: Mao's China, 1949–76

What you'll learn

How Mao transformed and controlled China.

Key themes

• The Communist takeover (1949) and land reform.
• The Great Leap Forward (1958) and the resulting famine.
• The Cultural Revolution (1966) and the Red Guards; the Little Red Book.

Exam tips

• Weigh the successes and human costs of Mao's policies.
• Use specific campaigns as evidence.

Common mistakes

• Confusing the Great Leap Forward with the Cultural Revolution.
• Ignoring the human cost of the famine.