Mao

Question 1

Why did Mao come to power?
Ideology?
Actions?
Weakness of opposition?

Answer 1

Ideology: Maoism composed for ideology and methodology for revolution developed by Mao and CCP

Actions: Took interest in May 4th Movement which sparked country wide nationalist upsurge. Declared himself as. Marxist Leninist and became founding member of CCP

Weakness of Opposition: eliminated opposition through Party Purges, deportes supporters of opponents, no trials, citizens had to watch.

Question 2

How did Mao consolidate his power?
Propaganda?
Removal of Opposition?

Answer 2

Propaganda: “Little Red Book” was bible like - contained his own statements/ideology about what he felt was right in everyday life. PRC made the “China a central Television” and “Peoples Daily Newspaper” to spread propaganda
Removal of Opposition: Cultural revolution, Maos words became sole rule of conduct and all pattern of behaviour became subject to question resulting in a sense of terror within public. 3 million people were denounced and around 1/2 million died as consequence of revolution

Question 3

Hi effective were Maos social an economic policies?
Success?
Failures?
Women? 
Minorities? 
Education?

Answer 3

Social: Peasants were encouraged to form cooperatives as quarrels arose siguen the peasants as to whose land should be worked first and as production did not rise fast.
Education: villagers were taught basic reading and writing skill by party workers
Women: “marriage laws” were put in place so women were equal to men, were allowed to vote and own land and choose who to marry and arranged marriages were banned. Run by his wife.
Minorities: designated autonomic regions were minorities had right to express culture.

Question 4

To what extent did foreign policy strengthen maos control?
Positives?
Negatives?

Answer 4

Positives: 1949-53 PRC tried to consolidate power against US neo-colonialism. In 1950 they intervened in Korea and supported Vietnam against French.
1956-60s China sought alliances for regional stability, conference in 1955 where “Five principals of peaceful coexistence” was created
Negatives: split with USSR removed Soviet support, trade and advisors in 1960. Korean War in 1950 and Taiwan straight crisis only strengthened US resolve to protect Taiwan