Deng Xiaoping: Socialism with Chinese Characteristics

Deng Xiaoping was a prominent figure in Chinese politics, having served as the General Secretary of the Communist Party of China from 1978 until 1992. He is widely credited with initiating China's economic reform and modernization. In 1984, he delivered a speech titled "Build Socialism with Chinese Characteristics," outlining his vision for China's economic development.

Source 1

At the founding of the People's Republic, we inherited from old China a ruined economy with virtually no industry. There was a shortage of grain, inflation was acute and the economy was in chaos. But we solved the problems of feeding and employing the population, stabilized commodity prices and unified financial and economic work, and the economy rapidly recovered. . . We are suggesting that we should develop rapidly, but not too rapidly because that would be unrealistic. To do this, we have to invigorate the domestic economy and open to the outside world.

Deng Xiaoping, "Build Socialism with Chinese Characteristics," June 30, 1984.

Question 1

Short answer

Identify one historical trend that influenced the message described in the excerpt.

Question 2

Short answer

Compare one way that the message described in the excerpt was similar to or different from China's economic policies under Mao Zedong.

Question 3

Short answer

Explain one way that the message described in the excerpt affected China's economy between 1984 and the present.

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