China People

Question 1

Zhou Enlai (8p)

Answer 1

1. Became premier and foreign minister of the People’s Republic of China in 1949 (W of CCP).
2. Supported Mao’s policies during the 1950s, including the Great Leap Forward.
3. Some historians hold Zhou partly responsible for the disasters of the late 1950s, as he played an important role implementing Mao’s economic reforms.
4. While Mao attempted to reconfigure China’s economy and society, Zhou handled matters of foreign policy, formulating responses to the Korean War, Sino-Soviet affairs and China’s relations with the West.
5. Negotiated visits to China by US leaders Henry Kissinger and Richard Nixon.
6. A skilled negotiator and canny political operator, Zhou was an effective counterbalance to the more passionate, less patient Mao.
7. UN leader Dag Hammarskjöld once described Zhou as “the most superior brain I have met in the field of foreign politics”.
8. Died Jan 76, (a few months before Mao). His death prompted public outpourings of grief.

Question 2

Deng Xiaoping (6p)

Answer 2

1. Revolutionary, politician and economic reformer; CCP general secretary from 1954; leader of China after death of Mao.
2. In 1950s he was a firm supporter of Mao Zedong, however the devastating effects of the GLF led Deng to distance himself from Mao’s radical economic vision.
3. Deng was more economic pragmatist than socialist ideologue.
4. His aim was recovery first and socialism second, a view espoused in Deng’s famous remark “It matters not whether a cat is black or white, so long as it catches mice.”
5. Zhou Enlai initiated his return to party in 74; appointed vice president; became influential
6. Became premier and head of China in 81; resigned in 92; died in 97

Question 3

Lin Biao (4p)

Answer 3

1. Prominent People’s Liberation Army (PLA) commander and, until 71, one of Mao Zedong’s closest allies.
2. Between late 50’s and his death in a suspicious plane crash in 71: considered by many to be Mao’s anointed successor.
3. Active contributor to the Maoist cult of personality, compiling a collection of writings called Quotations from Chairman Mao Zedong; it became the famous ‘Little Red Book’, one of the enduring icons of communist China.
4. Targeted in a hostile propaganda campaign by Gang of Four in 73 (‘Criticise Lin Biao and Confucius’).

Question 4

Liu Shaoqi (5p)

Answer 4

1. Liu supported Mao and GLF; but by the Lushan conference in Aug 59 more sceptical like Deng
2. With Mao sidelined, Liu and fellow moderate Deng Xiaoping joined forces to develop and initiate economic reforms. These policies allowed China to slowly recover through the 1960s.
3. Liu’s attempts to save China from economic disaster would later be thanked with public humiliation, expulsion and a torturous death.
4. Most significant victim of 66 Cul Rev: Liu, Deng, etc. denounced as ‘Rightists’ or ‘capitalist roaders’; lost support within party
5. Died in 69

Question 5

Peng Dehuai ( 6p)

Answer 5

1. Became defence minister in 54; one of the most able military commanders
2. By 59: realised disastrous effect of GLF: expressed criticism of Mao in a private letter
3. Mao initiated his downfall in Lushan conference (Jul 59) by inveiling the letter
4. Lin Bao replaced him as defence minister; stripped of military rank and removed from positions of importance in the party
5. Pleaded for restoration to party in 62 in a letter of self-criticism and admitting own faults; rejected
6. Persecuted during Cul Rev; imprisoned and denied medical treatment; died in 74