The Meaning of Land Reform in China

Abstract

Land to the Tiller is not a new slogan. Land reform itself is not an innovation. For nearly two decades Chinese have practised it, experimented with it, and modified it in the Chinese Soviets and Liberated Areas. By 1949, land reform had brought land to 120 million peasants; and its techniques, raised almost to a science by constant practice, made land reform a steady, unhurried progress in the wake of civil war. By 1952, peasants in an area inhabited by 420 million people had divided up the landlords' land.This article can also be found at the Monthly Review website, where most recent articles are published in full.Click here to purchase a PDF version of this article at the Monthly Review website.