Political opposition
What Political opposition means in History GCSE, as defined for Pearson Edexcel.
Definitions of Political opposition
Exam boards and our study guides word this term in slightly different ways. Learn the version your board uses.
Check what you remember
Read the wording for your board, then hide it and explain Political opposition in your own words. Rough notes are fine. This is a self-check, with no mark or grade.
Reference: Pearson Edexcel
Criticism of communist rule by intellectuals, including attacks on the CCP's monopoly on power, corruption and the harshness of previous campaigns.
Opponents of communist rule, including former Guomindang officials, landlords and suspected dissidents, against whom terror was used.
Southern Democrats known as the 'Dixiecrats' used their political influence in Congress to block reforms and maintain segregation.
Topics that use Political opposition
- Option 32: Key topic 1: Establishing communist rule, 1945–59 - 3 Consolidating the CCP’s hold on power, 1951–52 (Pearson Edexcel GCSE)
- Option 32: Key topic 1: Establishing communist rule, 1945–59 - 4 The Hundred Flowers campaign, 1956–57 (Pearson Edexcel GCSE)
- Option 33: Key topic 1: The development of the civil rights movement, 1954–60 - 4 Opposition to the civil rights movement (Pearson Edexcel GCSE)
Related terms
- Laogai
- Anti-Rightist purge
- Authoritarian control
- Counter-revolutionaries
- Economic intimidation
- Five Antis
- Grassroots resistance
- Ideological conformity
Using Political opposition in the exam
Check the command word and mark scheme for your exact question. After comparing your explanation with the reference, use the term in an answer on the linked topic. This practice does not predict an exam mark.
Practise History questions
Create a free account to answer exam-style questions on this topic and get feedback on your answers.
A week of Premium from your first lesson · Then the free plan continues · No card, no charge