L07 - Document - Three Mao Zedong documents

Question 1

What is Mao’s stance on the peasant movement in Hunan in 1927?

Answer 1

Mao believes the peasant movement is a colossal event and that all talk against it and all wrong measures taken by revolutionary authorities must be corrected for the benefit of the revolution.

Question 2

How does Mao describe the coming rise of the peasants in China?

Answer 2

Mao predicts that several hundred million peasants will rise like a mighty storm, swiftly and violently, sweeping away imperialists, warlords, corrupt officials, local tyrants, and evil gentry.

Question 3

What are the main targets of attack by the peasants, according to Mao?

Answer 3

The main targets of attack are the local tyrants, evil gentry, and lawless landlords. Additionally, they also attack patriarchal ideas, corrupt officials, and bad practices in rural areas.

Question 3

What happens to the power and privileges of the feudal landlords during the peasant uprising?

Answer 3

The power of the landlords collapses, and their privileges, which lasted for thousands of years, are shattered. Their dignity and prestige are swept into the dust.

Question 4

How does the force of the peasant movement affect those who resist it?

Answer 4

The attack by the peasants is tempestuous; those who bow before it survive, while those who resist perish.

Question 5

What role do the peasant associations play during the rebellion?

Answer 5

The peasant associations become the sole organs of authority, and the slogan “all power to the peasant associations” becomes a reality. Even small disputes, such as a quarrel between husband and wife, are brought to the peasant association for resolution.

Question 5

What is Mao’s opinion on those who think the peasant associations are going too far?

Answer 5

Mao criticizes the middle-of-the-roaders who believe the associations are going too far. He argues that the peasants are responding to the provocations of the local tyrants, evil gentry, and landlords who have driven them to such actions.

Question 6

What does Mao argue is necessary for the peasants to overthrow the feudal landlord class?

Answer 6

Mao argues that without using the greatest force, the peasants cannot possibly overthrow the deeply rooted authority of the landlords, which has lasted for thousands of years.

Question 6

How does Mao define revolution?

Answer 6

Mao defines revolution as an insurrection, an act of violence by which one class overthrows another. He emphasizes that a revolution is not a refined, leisurely, or gentle act; it requires the use of great force.

Question 7

How does Mao view the Communist Party in comparison to the bourgeoisie?

Answer 7

Mao believes that Communists are wiser than the bourgeoisie because they understand the laws of existence and development, dialectics, and can see farther. The bourgeoisie does not welcome this truth because it does not want to be overthrown.

Question 8

How does Mao describe the struggles faced by the Communist Party in its first 28 years?

Answer 8

Mao notes that the Party faced hardships, fighting enemies both foreign and domestic, and both inside and outside the Party.

Question 9

How did the October Revolution impact China’s thinking and life, according to Mao?

Answer 9

The October Revolution led China into an entirely new era, where the Chinese found Marxism-Leninism, a universally applicable truth, and began to see significant changes in the country.

Question 9

What “weapon” does Mao credit the Communist Party with in their struggle?

Answer 9

Mao credits Marxism-Leninism as the Party’s weapon, rather than physical weapons like machine guns.

Question 10

What was the significance of the Russian October Revolution, according to Mao?

Answer 10

The October Revolution created the world’s first socialist state, and under Lenin and Stalin, the revolutionary energy of the Russian proletariat erupted, changing the global view of Russia and introducing China to Marxist-Leninism.

Question 11

What does Mao say about the experiences of Sun Yixian and the Communist Party over the past 40 and 28 years?

Answer 11

Mao states that these experiences have taught China to “lean to one side” and firmly believes that to win and consolidate victory, China must choose between imperialism and socialism, with no middle road.

Question 11

What are the two main lessons the Chinese people have learned, according to Mao?

Answer 11

Internally, the people must unite the working class, peasantry, urban petty bourgeoisie, and national bourgeoisie under the leadership of the working class, progressing towards establishing a people’s democratic dictatorship.

Question 12

What is Mao’s stance on the “third road” in politics?

Answer 12

Mao opposes the idea of a “third road” and rejects the Jiang Jieshi reactionaries who lean towards imperialism, affirming that China must choose socialism or imperialism.

Question 13

What is the foundation of the people’s democratic dictatorship in Mao’s vision?

Answer 13

The foundation is the alliance between the working class, the peasantry, and the urban petty bourgeoisie, with a focus on the alliance between the workers and peasants, as they comprise 80-90% of China’s population.

Question 13

What advice does Mao give to comrades regarding criticism and self-reflection?

Answer 13

Mao advises comrades to listen to both good and bad words, as both are valuable. He encourages them to not avoid criticism and to recognize the importance of hearing all perspectives.

Question 14

Why does Mao emphasize the leadership of the working class in the people’s democratic dictatorship?

Answer 14

Mao believes that the working class is the most far-sighted, selfless, and revolutionary class, and that without its leadership, revolutions cannot succeed.

Question 14

What does Mao say about the potential collapse of the People’s Communes?

Answer 14

Mao states that no commune has collapsed up to that point, but if some do collapse, it is acceptable, as poorly run communes are bound to fail. He insists that the Communist Party aims to run all aspects of society well.

Question 14

What does Mao say about revolutions led by other classes, such as the petty bourgeoisie or national bourgeoisie?

Answer 14

Mao argues that revolutions led by the petty bourgeoisie and national bourgeoisie have historically failed, proving that only the working class can lead a revolution to victory.

Question 14

What role does Mao take in the mass smelting of steel during the Great Leap Forward?

Answer 14

Mao admits responsibility for the mass smelting of steel, which led to a great catastrophe, acknowledging that he called for the production of 10.7 million tons of steel and that small native-type blast furnaces were built in a rush.

Question 15

What does Mao say about the criticism from Rightists within and outside the Party?

Answer 15

Mao acknowledges the criticism from Rightists but asserts that China will not “sink down” and that they have done good things. He emphasizes the strength of the Party’s backbone despite the criticism.

Question 15

How does Mao reflect on the consequences of the steel smelting policy?

Answer 15

Mao recognizes that the mass smelting of steel resulted in disaster and that 90 million people were involved. He admits the policy was misguided and says the main responsibility is his, though others share some of the blame.

Question 16

What does Mao say about the People’s Communes and the opposition to them?

Answer 16

Mao acknowledges that the People’s Communes were opposed by the whole world, including the Soviet Union. He also notes the criticism of the General Line and the mixed results of its implementation in industry and agriculture.

Question 17

How does Mao compare his impatience to Marx’s impatience regarding revolution?

Answer 17

Mao draws a parallel between his impatience for the success of the Great Leap Forward and Marx’s impatience for the European revolution, suggesting that both were driven by a sense of urgency and optimism, though the results were not immediate.

Question 18

Does Mao consider the Great Leap Forward a complete failure?

Answer 18

Mao does not consider it a complete failure. He states that there have been gains, but it is mainly a partial failure, acknowledging the high price paid and the lessons learned by the people of the country.

Question 19

What does Mao say about the responsibility for the chaos caused during the Great Leap Forward?

Answer 19

Mao accepts the greatest responsibility for the chaos, describing it as a grand-scale disaster. He encourages comrades to analyze their own responsibility and to speak openly about it, using the metaphor of relieving oneself to illustrate the importance of self-examination.