The Communist Party's Policy of Oppression There have been two
main stages in Chinese communism: The Mao period and the Deng
period. Although Mao and Deng differed in theory and practice,
looking at them from a wider perspective, based on the criteria
of human rights and democracy, two very important similarities
exist in the two periods. Throughout both periods the country
was kept under the strict control of the Communist Party. The
present rulers are also still continuing to repress the Chinese
people under that same despotic regime. The Mao period lasted
from 1949 to 1977, and witnessed the deaths of millions of
people from starvation and the killing of millions of others.
Strict discipline prevailed in all areas of life, little
individual freedom was allowed, and whole communities were kept
in line by violence and oppression. Food could only be purchased
with coupons, only one type of costume was allowed, and people
could only work in the fields and the factories allocated by the
state. The Communist Par