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Maos China Unit 1 > Lesson 5- What were Mao's motives in launching the Hundred Flowers Campaign? > Flashcards

Lesson 5- What were Mao's motives in launching the Hundred Flowers Campaign? Flashcards

1
Q

Who was Gao Gang (1902-54)?

A

CCP leader in Manchuria

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2
Q

Who was Rao Shushi (1903-1975)?

A

CCP leader in Shandong

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3
Q

Who was Peng Dehuai (1898-74)?

A

The PRC’s minister of defence and a PLA veteran

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4
Q

What is de-stalinisation?

A

Process taking place in Russia from 1956. Khrushchev delivered his so called secret speech which lead to the process. Argument that Stalin was so obsessed with personality cult that he lost control of people

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5
Q

What was the Anti-Rightist Movement?

A

a reaction against the Hundred Flowers Campaign which had promoted pluralism of expression and criticism of the government, even though initiation of both campaigns was controlled by Mao

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6
Q

What was the Gao Gang and Rao Shushi Affair?

A

Attack on two top party members in 1953 who were accused of building up their own empires, or factions, within the party. Rather than face humiliation, Gao committed suicide. Rao died in jail in 1975

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7
Q

Define Cult of Personality.

A

Arises when an individual uses mass media, propaganda, or other methods to create an idealized, heroic, and at times worshipful image, often through unquestioning flattery and praise.

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8
Q

Define Marital Law.

A

The imposition of direct military control of normal civilian functions of government, especially in response to a temporary emergency such as invasion or major disaster, or in an occupied territory.

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9
Q

What is a Rightist?

A

Blanket term that was applied to anyone that Mao wanted to get rid of. The implication was that they had betrayed the principles of the revolution by being too far to the right

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10
Q

After what changes did Mao’s repression intensify?

A

Economic changes

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11
Q

What is a historical interpretation?

A

The process by which we describe, analyse, evaluate, and create an explanation of past events.
We base our interpretation on primary [firsthand] and secondary [scholarly] historical sources. We analyse the evidence, contexts, points of view, and frames of reference.

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12
Q

What would the PRC have to do in order to survive?

A

Modernise

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13
Q

Who were those who did not accept change no better than?

A

Counter-revolutionaries

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14
Q

What was there a betrayal of in order to tolerate internal dissension (disagreement that leads to conflict) and criticism?

A

The revolutionary cause

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15
Q

When was the Gao Gang and Rao Shushi affair?

A

1954

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16
Q

What did Mao claim about the efforts of the officials regarding industrialisation?

A

He said they were half-hearted

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17
Q

Who were two key people who gave half hearted efforts in industrialisation?

A

Gao Gang and Rao Shushi

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18
Q

What did Gao Gang and Rao Shushi work to establish?

A

‘Independent kingdoms’

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19
Q

What happened as a result of the charges against Gao Gang and Rao Shushi?

A

They were dismissed from their positions

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20
Q

As a result of the affair what did Gao Gang do?

A

killed himself

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21
Q

What was Gao and Rao’s case clear evidence of?

A

The increasing centralisation of power in the party and government.
Of Mao’s refusal to tolerate potential rivals

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22
Q

What happened as a result of party opposition in the 1930s and 40s?

A

Mao did not trust anyone

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23
Q

What was Mao suspicious of regarding the industrialisation programme?

A

He thought it might be used as an opportunity to challenge his leadership

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24
Q

What did the CCP Congress confirm in 1956?

A

That the government of the PRC was a collective not an individual affair

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25
When was the Hundred Flowers Campaign?
1957
26
What did Mao inform his government and party that 1956 would be an appropriate time to do?
Allow greater freedom of expression to those who might wish to comment constructively on how well Communist China was achieving its aim of turning the nation into a proletarian state
27
Who and when did Mao give the speech 'Contradictions' to?
Leading party workers Early in 1957
28
What did Mao say in the speech 'Contradictions'?
He stated his satisfaction with the First Five Year Plan
29
What did Mao's statement in the speech 'Contradictions' signify?
The beginning of the Hundred Flowers Campaign
30
What was Gao Gang killing himself described as an act of by Deng Xiaoping who had been highly active of holding this act against him?
The ultimate treason.
31
What was complained about in the 'Contradictions' speech?
The heavy handedness with which some CCP officials were applying.
32
What did the speech on 'Contradictions' hint that a shift needed to be made towards?
Allowing intellectuals a greater say in debate.
33
Why was it unusual that Mao had said that intellectuals should be allowed to have a greater say in debate?
He had an abiding (lifelong) distaste for intellectuals.
34
In 1956, who did Mao show tolerance against?
Hu Feng
35
Who was Hu Feng?
Writer who challenged the notion that Marxist-Leninist values were the only criteria for judging artistic merit.
36
How did Mao respond and show tolerance to Hu Feng?
Responded that China had made such progress under the First FYP that it could afford to be lenient towards Hu, who was simply confused and mistaken.
37
Give a simple definition of de-stalinisation.
Denounced Stalin's predecessors for his cult of personality.
38
Why was Hundred Flowers Campaign influenced by events in the USSR?
In 1956 Nikita Khrushchev, shook the Communist world by launching an extraordinary attack on the reputation of Stalin, who had died three years before. Mao wanted to remove the idea from people that he was running the country the same way as Stalin.
39
In 1957, Mao urged the Communist Party officials to be prepared to undergo criticism from the people with what slogan?
"Let a hundred flowers bloom, let a hundred schools of thought contend."
40
What were critics within the party encouraged to do during the Hundred Flowers Campaign?
State where the government and the CCP had gone wrong.
41
Why was Mao frustrated at the beginning of the Hundred Flowers Campaign?
Due to the lack of response.
42
What did Mao do to deal with the lack of response during the Hundred Flowers Campaign?
Summoned editor of People's Daily newspaper to demand news coverage be given to the debate.
43
Once the people had gotten over the fear that they may be punished, what did they rush to do?
Point out the mistakes on the grounds of corruption, inefficiency and lack of realism.
44
Who was criticised during the Hundred Flowers Campaign?
Leading figures in government, education and the arts heavily criticised for their failures. Even Mao himself was criticised.
45
What are the 5 interpretations as to why Mao chose to launch the Hundred Flowers Campaign?
1. Fears for leadership following on from Gao Gang and Rao Shushi affair in 1954 2. Genuine attempts to get help from intellectuals in restructuring China. 3. Belief that China needed greater freedom of expression. 4. Attacks on 'cult of personality' in Russia led to Mao to fear that might happen to him. 5. An attempt to draw out those from China who disagreed with him.
46
What are the different methods historians take when making interpretations?
Historiographical approach
47
What are the 5 key historiographical trends in the study of Mao's China?
1. Marxist historian 2. Maoist or Neo-Maoist historians 3. Western/Liberal historians 4. Post-Mao revisionism 5. Scar literature/defector
48
Who are Marxist historians followers of?
German political philosopher of Karl Marx
49
What do Marxist historians believe human society is structured and shaped by?
Economic factors, particularly Capitalism and class ownership.
50
How do Marxist historians react to Mao?
Tend to be critical of Mao
51
How do Maoist or Neo-Maoist historians react to Mao Zedong?
Tend to be sympathetic to Mao.
52
What do Maoist or Neo-Maoist historians portray Mao as?
A visionary leader.
53
What is Western/Liberal historiography shaped by?
The Cold War
54
What type of view did Western/liberal historians, initially, have of Mao?
Initially, took an anti-socialist view of Mao.
55
What is Post-Mao revisionism?
The death of Mao in 1976 has allowed a re-evaluation of the revolution. Although the interpretations within China remain largely positive, others outside of China have been able to have a fresh look at Mao's errors and failings. Revisionism links to the re-interpretation and challenging the Orthodox view.
56
What is scar literature/defector?
Works published by those who experienced life in Mao's China. Meant to be Cathartic (purgative/cleansing), discussing the abuses suffered by those within Mao's China.
57
What are the 4 key interpretations?
1. P.Short Mao: A Life 2. Jung Chang and John Halliday, Mao: The Unknown Story 3. E.Cheo, First hand account quoted by F.Dikotter. 4. Frank Dikotter, The tragedy of Liberation.
58
Why did Mao call a halt to the campaign?
He was taken aback by the flood of criticism that came forth.
59
After Mao called a halt to the campaign, what happened to the freedom of expression?
Turned into fierce repression.
60
What was the Hundred Flowers Campaign abandoned and replaced by?
Anti-rightist movement
61
What did those who responded to the initial campaign have to do in the anti-rightist campaign?
Were forced to retract their statements.
62
Who were they key individuals rounded up on during the anti-rightist campaign?
University staff School teachers Research scientists Economists Writers Artists
63
What were the key individuals who were attacked in the anti-rightist campaign described as by Mao? (quotation)
"Squeezing the pus out of an abscess."
64
What did those who had co-operated by helping the 100 schools of thought content now made to do during the anti-rightist campaign?
Confess their evil thoughts Purge (get rid of) themselves through 're-education' in remote labour camps.
65
How much of the party members were sent to 're-education' labour camps, some for 20 years?
3/4 of a million party members
66
What had begun as a call for free thought had ended as a programme of...?
Thought control.
67
Which key individual being obliged to make a humiliating self-criticism in front of a large party gathering showed that nobody was safe from the anti-rightist campaign?
Zhou Enlai
68
What did Zhou Enlai have to admit to in the anti-rightist campaign?
Being too slow in putting Mao's industrialisation plans into action
69
Despite his power reassertion, what did Mao believe the famine which began in 1958 might become an occasion for?
A renewed political challenge to his leadership.
70
When did Mao confirm he was giving up his position as State Chairman?
April 1959
71
Despite giving up his position as State Chairman, what did Mao remain as in the party?
Head of the Communist Party The Great Helmsman
72
When giving up his position as State Chairman, what did Mao mention? (quotation)
"Speaking out should involve no penalty; party members are entitled to their own opinions."
73
What did party members fear about what he said after he gave up his position as State Chairman?
This would be another Hundred Flowers Campaign
74
When was the Lushan Conference?
1959
75
What was the Lushan Conference summoned to do?
Consider the progress of the GLF
76
What did party members know the Lushan Conference was called to do?
Try and find an answer to the spreading problems
77
What did Dehuai recount his experience of the results of the anti-campaign (at the Lushan Conference-I THINK???)? (quotation)
"I saw my people lying dead and dying in the fields and by the roadside."
78
Other party members backed up Dehuai's experience? True or false.
False-no other party members backed his accounts up.
79
What happened to Mao's leadership at the Lushan Conference?
It was praised.
80
What did Zhou Enlai think of the Lushan Conference?
Was so dismayed by the tone of the conference and so ashamed of his own silence that he stopped attending the sessions.
81
How did Mao suppress criticism after the Lushan Conference?
Ridiculed Peng Dehuai Told how he was prepared to use the PLA against any party members who tried to lead the peasants to overthrow the peasants.
82
What event did Mao declare did not happen?
Famine
83
What did all party members who had fresh memories of the Hundred Flowers Campaign due to fear of Mao?
Dropped all thoughts of opposition
84
Who was not prepared to hide the truth like the party members?
Ordinary people
85
How did ordinary people show that they were not prepared to hide the truth?
Demonstrations took place in a number of provinces.
86
What was the key message of demonstrations that took place in a number of provinces?
Communes should be abolished.
87
In 1962, what did Liu Shaoqi speak about?
Civil war breaking out and thus spoke about martial law and the PLA standing by.
88
What were the 2 factors which stopped the civil war which Liu Shaoqi spoke about from breaking out?
1. The famine was at its worst in rural China, where the people lacked the knowledge and skills to mount an effective anti-government rising 2. The policies that Liu himself and Deng Xiaoping introduced in 1962 began to ease the famine
89
After the success of the Lushan victory, what did Mao tend to do?
Tended to withdraw from the political frontline.
90
Why did Mao tend to withdraw from the political frontline?
It was a tactical move that absolved (cleared) him from personal culpability for policy failures.
91
After the Lushan Conference, what did Mao think had happened because he faced no opposition?
His reputation within the party was undamaged.
92
Mao could resume full authority in the Party whenever he chose. True or false?
True

Maos China Unit 1 (6 decks)

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