How did Mao benefit from joining the Korean war Flashcards
Getting rid of opposition
Mao was able to purge his enemies by accusing them of being traitors spies or sabotuers. He luanched the aid Kore ressist America campaign where 800,000 people wer executed. And 136,000 offcial executions in 1951
Show China as a strong country
Mao used the war to show China could not be bullied by the west.
From Zishui Li (Mao’s private doctor) “I was proud to be Chinese”
Show Mao as a strong leader
Mao showed he was a strong military leader who was prepared for war with powerfull countries. Proved he would stand up for his and Chinas beliefs without backing down.
Impress Stalin
Joining the war strengthened ties to the USSR and solidily placed China on the communist side. Foreign minister Chen Yi reported that upon hearing of Chinas involvment Stalin shed tears and exclaimed “these Chinese comrades are so good”.
Greater industrial output
Mao used patriotic pride to boost industrial output. Workers joined patriotic campaigns under the slogan ‘our factory is our battlefield and our machines our weapons’. Production in coal, steel and industry increased.
Buissnessmen and industrialists signed patriotic pacts promising to pay taxes on time.
Unify the country
Mao presented the amry as heros through patriotic propoganda creatig national unity in a fragmented nation. Collective spirit was forged thorugh antipathy to the US.
Encourage more support for the regime
Patriotic campaigns brought new supporters to the regime who hadnt yet embraces communism.
Develop a sense of national pride
The people were proud of the Government and the PLA for standing up to a ‘ghoulsish threat’. CCP spread rumours the USA was using bioilogical warfare (this was believed becuase Japan ahd attempted this in WW2)
