Deng Xiaoping and the modernisation of China

Question 1

Official response to Zhou Enlai death

Answer 1

Due to Zhour being a moderate, Mao limited his condolences -> no offical statement

Due to the volume of people mourning→ official ban on public displays of mourning

Mao would disperse demonstrations that resulted from Zhou’s death → violence

Question 2

Demystifying Mao and economic deviation:

Answer 2

Shift from Mao high labour participation + equal wage -> Deng incentives / skill based economy

Mao’s economics was driven by ideology and permanent revolution, Deng was pragmatists → market based initiatives - ‘It doesn’t matter where a cat is black or white, as long as it catches mice’

Market initiatives were not used to make China capitalist, rather to break down the inefficiency of state planning and sped up development of modernised production→foundation of socialist society

Permitted criticism of CR and through first phase ‘Open door’ policy would grow trade and gain foreign investments - 400% increase in trade from 1978 - 88

Question 2

Political standing: Mao Zedong

Answer 2

Mao’s public standing was worsen following Zhou’s death and his response - “growing rift between Mao and chinese populace” MOD Gitting 2005

Mao’s health was deteriorating, the need for a successor became apparent -> appointed Guofeng as successor

Question 2

Death of Mao + end of cultural revolution

Answer 2

Mao died in September 1976, historically marking the end of the CR
-> Guofeng was successor and ended cultural revoltuion in 1977

1981: CCP declared it responsabile for the setbacks and heavy losses of the PRC

Division in Politburo on leadership between Guofend and gang of four. GOF lost lmao

Question 2

Political standing: Deng Xiaoping

Answer 2

Deng rising popularity and popularity of moderate positions→Second purge of Deng Xiaoping however limited Deng’s popularity and influence as he was demoted from all positions

Qing blamed Deng for Tiananmen incident despite no involvement.

Delivered Zhou’s eulogy which was a popular action +Deng conducted duties of Zhou as Premier

Question 3

Unofficial response to Zhou Enlai death

Answer 3

Zhou was popular, seen as symbol of balance and modernisation millions lined the streets + 10,000 wreaths

Civilians would gather publicly to mourn and defied bans -> Thousands of civilians defied the ban April 1976→ holding a memorial in Tiananmen Square during Qingming

Question 4

Arrest of Gang of Four by Guofeng

Answer 4

Gang of Four arrested to prevent Qing rise to power, supported by Guofeng which led to their arrest in September 1976, charged with ‘Crimes against the party and socialism’

PLA seized control media -> Guofeng declared successor of CCP and began denouncement campaign with all being sent to jail.

GOF was used as a scapegoat for cultural revolution + alleviate pressure of Mao legacy

Question 4

Rehabilitation of Deng Xiaoping:

Answer 4

Guofeng will continue to suppress Deng influence with the continuation of Mao agenda and policies ‘Two Whatevers’

Disproved GOF allegation of involvement in Tiananmen square -> return to politburo

Between 1977-80, Deng was able to build support in Politburo, appoint allies into powerful positions, and slowly emerge as more influential then Guofeng

Hua began to be associated with policies of the CR→resignation as premier in 1981, and Deng tilitled ‘paramount’ leader of CCP.

Question 5

Deng Xiaoping Agriculture:

Answer 5

Output per capita had not increased since 1958 → incentives for farmers and reduced quotas for the state

Market-based policy: Dismantling commune system→work units or Xiang allowed household to keep surplus.

Agricultural reforms were successful in improving standards of living

Question 6

Deng Xiaoping industry

Answer 6

Shift towards meritocracy -> price-rate wage system + promotion of Getihu to spread growth to rural China.

Creation of SEZ’s (special economic zones) + creation of legal framework to protect private business and increase international investment.

Industrial Responsibility System (1984) = initiative to give state-owned enterprises more freedom→setting wages, promotions, advertising, setting price selling surplus at profit (Liberalisation)

Question 6

Deng Xiaoping defence / joint ventures.

Answer 6

Decrease in spending budget - 17% (1980) to 7.5% (1988)

Reduced military personnel by 1 million

Promotion of joint ventures in SEZ -> Chinese must own 50% of the company which facilitated chinese to learn western management strategies.