Pearson Edexcel · A-Level · History
Course version: 9HI0 · Version from Sept 2015
The making of modern China, 1860–1997 - 2 Ideologies and individuals…
Full specification wording
Paper 3, Option 38.2: The making of modern China, 1860–1997 - 2 Ideologies and individuals behind economic growth: The roles of individuals in promoting economic growth, 1860–1997: Li Honghzhang, Sheng Xuanhuai, Sung Tzu- wen [TV Soong], Mao Zedong, Deng Xiaping (key developments: the establishment of the first modern bank in China 1897, the China Development Finance Corporation in the 1930s, the Great Leap Forward 1958–61, the launch of the Four Modernisations 1978).
Study how five figures shaped economic growth across 1860–1997.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 9HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 2 of 2
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Study how five figures shaped economic growth across 1860–1997. Li Hongzhang backed self-strengthening ventures such as shipping and mines. Sheng Xuanhuai drove railways, telegraphs and the first modern bank in China, 1897. Sung Tzu-wen [TV Soong] used finance ministry and business links, and the China Development Finance Corporation in the 1930s, to fund industry. Mao Zedong collectivised agriculture and industry, with the Great Leap Forward 1958–61 as a costly push. Deng Xiaoping launched the Four Modernisations in 1978, opening trade and special zones. Compare aims, methods, resources and results, and judge how far each individual, rather than wider forces, promoted growth.
What earns the marks
- Explains Li Hongzhang's role in self-strengthening industrial and military ventures and how far these promoted growth.
- Explains Sheng Xuanhuai's role in railways, telegraphs and the first modern bank in China, 1897, and its economic significance.
- Explains Sung Tzu-wen [TV Soong] and the China Development Finance Corporation in the 1930s as a mechanism for financing industry.
- Explains Mao Zedong's economic programme, including the Great Leap Forward 1958–61, and its mixed consequences for growth.
- Explains Deng Xiaoping's launch of the Four Modernisations 1978 and subsequent opening policies as a growth stimulus.
- Compares individuals across the period, weighing personal agency against structural factors such as war, foreign pressure and institutions.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Treating each individual in isolation rather than comparing their methods and results across 1860–1997.
Put it right by grouping them by approach, for example state-led industrialisation versus market opening.
Assuming the Great Leap Forward 1958–61 produced sustained growth.
Put it right by noting its severe economic disruption alongside any industrial aims.
Confusing the China Development Finance Corporation in the 1930s with later Deng-era institutions.
Put it right by dating and naming each body precisely.
Exam tips
- Anchor every claim to a named individual and a dated development from the specification.
- Use comparison language such as 'more significant than' or 'to a lesser extent' to address the roles of individuals directly.
- Plan by individual or by theme, then ensure the conclusion weighs individual agency against wider economic forces.
Try the lesson
The start of the Paper 3, Option 38.2: The making of modern China, 1860–1997 - 2 Ideologies and individuals behind economic growth: The roles of individuals in promoting economic growth, 1860–1997: Li Honghzhang, Sheng Xuanhuai, Sung Tzu- wen [TV Soong], Mao Zedong, Deng Xiaping (key developments: the establishment of the first modern bank in China 1897, the China Development Finance Corporation in the 1930s, the Great Leap Forward 1958–61, the launch of the Four Modernisations 1978). lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which individual is associated with the establishment of the first modern bank in China in 1897?
Listen
Study how five figures shaped economic growth across 1860–1997. Li Hongzhang backed self-strengthening ventures such as shipping and mines. Sheng Xuanhuai drove railways, telegraphs and the first modern bank in China, 1897. Sung Tzu-wen [TV Soong] used finance ministry and business links, and the China Development Finance Corporation in the 1930s, to fund industry. Mao Zedong collectivised agriculture and industry, with the Great Leap Forward 1958–61 as a costly push. Deng Xiaoping launched the Four Modernisations in 1978, opening trade and special zones. Compare aims, methods, resources and results, and judge how far each individual, rather than wider forces, promoted growth. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Explains Li Hongzhang's role in self-strengthening industrial and military ventures and how far these promoted growth. Explains Sheng Xuanhuai's role in railways, telegraphs and the first modern bank in China, 1897, and its economic significance. Explains Sung Tzu-wen [TV Soong] and the China Development Finance Corporation in the 1930s as a mechanism for financing industry. Explains Mao Zedong's economic programme, including the Great Leap Forward 1958–61, and its mixed consequences for growth. A common slip: Treating each individual in isolation rather than comparing their methods and results across 1860–1997. Instead, grouping them by approach, for example state-led industrialisation versus market opening. Exam tip: Anchor every claim to a named individual and a dated development from the specification.
See it
![A top-down flowchart with five starting nodes, one for each individual. Li Hongzhang leads to self-strengthening ventures in shipping and mines. Sheng Xuanhuai leads to two nodes: railways and telegraphs, and the first modern bank in China, 1897. Sung Tzu-wen [TV Soong] leads to the China Development Finance Corporation in the 1930s. Mao Zedong leads to collectivised agriculture and industry, which in turn leads to the Great Leap Forward, 1958-61. Deng Xiaoping leads to the Four Modernisations, 1978.](https://xnnrgnazirrqvdgfhvou.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/lesson-media/05fb5730-3d37-499c-914a-837843d538ae/diagram-8a02d0cbe1af.svg)
Watch it explained
What is the one idea the video explains? Say it in a sentence.
Read the described scene instead
From 1860 to 1997, Chinese economic growth was shaped by both individual decisions and wider pressures. This lesson examines five figures named in the specification: Li Hongzhang, Sheng Xuanhuai, Sung Tzu-wen [TV Soong], Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping. For each, compare aims, methods, resources and results, and ask how far the individual, rather than war, foreign pressure or institutions, promoted growth. Li Hongzhang backed self-strengthening ventures such as shipping and mines. These aimed to strengthen the state through industrial and military projects. Sheng Xuanhuai drove railways and telegraphs, and the first modern bank in China was established in 1897. Railways and telegraphs improved transport and communication, while the bank supported modern finance. Together they show state-led industrialisation and self-strengthening, but their results must be weighed against foreign pressure and institutional limits. Sung Tzu-wen [TV Soong] used finance ministry and business links to fund industry. In the 1930s, the China Development Finance Corporation provided a mechanism for financing industry. This connects state finance, business networks and industrial funding. It should be dated and named precisely, and not confused with later Deng-era institutions. Mao Zedong collectivised agriculture and industry and relied on central planning. The Great Leap Forward, 1958–61, was a costly push with severe economic disruption alongside industrial aims. So it should not be assumed to have produced sustained growth. The programme shows how central planning mobilised resources, but also how political direction could damage economic outcomes. Deng Xiaoping launched the Four Modernisations in 1978. This opened trade and special zones, acting as a growth stimulus. A useful connection is that Deng changed methods from central planning towards opening and reform. Pause briefly to think: how far was this individual agency rather than wider forces? Deng's launch mattered, but it operated within existing institutions and international conditions. Do not treat each individual in isolation. Group them by approach, such as state-led industrialisation versus market opening. Do not assume the Great Leap Forward produced sustained growth; note its severe economic disruption. Do not confuse the China Development Finance Corporation of the 1930s with later Deng-era institutions. Anchor claims to a named individual and a dated development. Across 1860 to 1997, Li Hongzhang and Sheng Xuanhuai show state-led industrialisation and finance. Sung Tzu-wen links finance and industry in the 1930s. Mao Zedong shows collectivisation and central planning, including the costly Great Leap Forward. Deng Xiaoping's Four Modernisations in 1978 opened trade and special zones. Compare their aims, methods, resources and results, and judge individual agency against war, foreign pressure and institutions.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
State-led industrialisation and self-strengthening
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Finance, banking and railway development
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Collectivisation and central planning
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Reform, opening and the Four Modernisations
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- State-led industrialisation and self-strengthening
- Li Hongzhang backed self-strengthening ventures such as shipping and mines, an approach grouped as state-led industrialisation.
- Finance, banking and railway development
- Sheng Xuanhuai drove railways, telegraphs and the first modern bank in China, 1897, while Sung Tzu-wen used finance ministry and business links.
- Collectivisation and central planning
- Mao Zedong collectivised agriculture and industry, with the Great Leap Forward 1958–61 as a costly push.
- Reform, opening and the Four Modernisations
- Deng Xiaoping launched the Four Modernisations in 1978, opening trade and special zones as a growth stimulus.
Label the diagram
Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.
![The diagram again, with 3 boxes numbered instead of named. A top-down flowchart with five starting nodes, one for each individual. Li Hongzhang leads to self-strengthening ventures in shipping and mines. Sheng Xuanhuai leads to two nodes: railways and telegraphs, and the first modern bank in China, 1897. Sung Tzu-wen [TV Soong] leads to the China Development Finance Corporation in the 1930s. Mao Zedong leads to collectivised agriculture and industry, which in turn leads to the Great Leap Forward, 1958-61. Deng Xiaoping leads to the Four Modernisations, 1978.](https://xnnrgnazirrqvdgfhvou.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/lesson-media/05fb5730-3d37-499c-914a-837843d538ae/diagram-labelled-8a02d0cbe1af.svg)
1Box 1
2Box 2
3Box 3
There is more to this lesson
The full lesson goes on to check your understanding and help you earn the marks. Create a free account to carry on, with your progress saved.
A week of Premium from your first lesson · Then the free plan continues · No card, no charge
Test your understanding of Paper 3, Option 38.2: The making of modern China, 1860–1997 - 2 Ideologies and individuals behind economic growth: The roles of individuals in promoting economic growth, 1860–1997: Li Honghzhang, Sheng Xuanhuai, Sung Tzu- wen [TV Soong], Mao Zedong, Deng Xiaping (key developments: the establishment of the first modern bank in China 1897, the China Development Finance Corporation in the 1930s, the Great Leap Forward 1958–61, the launch of the Four Modernisations 1978).
Active recall beats re-reading. Take an instant quiz now to test what you’ve learned and lock it into long-term memory.
A week of Premium from your first lesson · Then the free plan continues · No card, no charge