Changes to an industrial economy caused a famine from 1959-61, with 35 million deaths.
Couples were encouraged to have large families to repopulate the country. A 'baby boom' followed and the population was growing unsustainably fast.
In the early 1970s, the government realised the country was headed for famine unless severe changes were made quickly.
Also, the increasing population meant that there were limited resources, such as food, houses, education and healthcare -> a low quality of life without these.
A lack of resources such as jobs meant that there were many poor people who could not afford to pay taxes, and the government needed more money to create facilities for the large population.
The Policy
The one-child policy was introduced in 1979. It said that:
Couples must not marry until their late 20s.
Most have only one successful pregnancy.
Must be sterilised after the first child or abort any future pregnancies.
Would receive a 5-10% salary rise for limiting their family to one child.
The punishments for disobeying the rules were:
A 10% salary cut
A fine so large that it would bankrupt most households
The family would have to pay for the education of both children and health care for all the family
Second children born abroad were not penalised, but they were not allowed to become Chinese citizens
In 2007, 39% of the population was subject to a strict one-child restriction.
Problems with the Policy
Women were forced to have abortions, even as late as the ninth-month of the pregnancy.
Women were placed under tremendous pressure from their families, workmates, the 'Granny Police' and their own consciences and feelings.
(The Granny Police were older women entrusted with keeping a regular check on couples of childbearing age, even accompanying women to contraception appointments to make sure they attended.)
Local officials and central government had power over people's private lives.
Chinese society had a preference for sons over daughters, which resulted in female infanticide or girls being placed in orphanages.
'Little Emperor' syndrome: only children were often spoiled.
Gender imbalance: more than 30 million youngmen than young women.
Benefits of the Policy
The famine which was previously forecast has not occurred.
Population growth has slowed down sufficiently for people to have enough food and jobs.
The population growth rate has decreased by more than 10% since the policy was introduced.
It's estimated that 400 million fewer people have been born.
New industries have lifted millions out of poverty, although technology from other countries has helped to do this.
Exceptions to the Policy
Rural families were allowed to have two children if their first was a girl.
Ethnic groups were exempt because they could have become unsustainable under the One Child Policy.
If a parent was an only child then they were allowed to have two children. (except government workers)
Changes from the Policy
With less time needed for childcare, women have had the opportunity to concentrate on careers, so have achieved more.
With increasing wealth, more people are able to break the rules, pay the fine and take the other consequences, of having a second child
The attitude to having a daughter and the quality of life for women have improved.
Some girls have been rejected, so now there are over 30 million more young men than women. Not all men will be able to marry, which could present difficulties for Chinese society.
Some studies have indicated that the policy only had a minimal effect on the population, as the rapid economic development may have caused a bigger change. Countries like Thailand have had the same result without a one child policy.
The policy was abolished on the 1st January 2016, and replaced with the two-child policy, however couples still have to gain permission to have a second child.