Mao's China Flashcards
what are the 9 most important elements from the ‘Mao Zedong in Power’ reading?
- Red Guard Movement in the Cultural Revolution: The Red Guard movement was a prominent aspect of the Cultural Revolution in China. It began with high school and university students becoming activists, followed by “revolutionary rebels” in government institutions and factories. The movement involved millions of students and led to significant social and political upheaval.
- Factionalism within the Red Guard Movement: There were two main explanations for factionalism within the Red Guard movement. The first was a sociological approach, which argued that pre-existing interests based on status and political networks determined factional affiliation. The second was a political interpretation, which focused on conflicts that emerged during the course of the movement itself, influenced by charismatic student leaders and interpretations of Mao’s objectives.
- Role of the PLA and Power Seizures: The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) played a crucial role in the Cultural Revolution, becoming the leading force in the newly established Revolutionary Committees. These committees became the organs of local power, consisting of PLA representatives, revolutionary cadres, and mass representatives. The PLA’s role evolved from maintaining law and order to being central in the political structures that emerged after Mao called a halt to the Cultural Revolution.
- Mao’s selection of Lin as his successor: Mao’s motives for selecting Lin as his successor in 1966 are unclear, but likely involved considerations such as guaranteeing PLA support, favoritism towards Lin, and appreciation for his role in promoting the Mao cult. Additionally, Lin was not perceived as having revisionist tendencies in domestic policy, unlike other members of the Politburo Standing Committee.
- The Lin Biao Affair: The Lin Biao affair, also known as the September 13 [1971] incident, was a critical turning point in Chinese politics. Lin, initially Mao’s chosen successor, faced conflicts with civilian radicals and was eventually denounced as a traitor. This event intensified doubts about the Cultural Revolution, both within the populace and the party elite.
- The Shifts in Chinese Politics: The text describes various phases of Chinese politics from 1972 to 1976, marked by shifts in policies and power dynamics. Mao attempted to correct and defend the Cultural Revolution, leading to the rehabilitation of leaders dismissed during that period. Mao’s deteriorating health and isolation played a significant role in shaping political decisions. Additionally, the emergence of new, younger leaders sympathetic to Zhou and Deng contributed to the complexity of the political landscape.
- Mao’s Uncontested Power: Mao Zedong’s power within the Communist Party of China (CCP) was uncontested, especially after the CCP came to power in 1949. He held emperor-like authority, and his decisions were rarely challenged. This concentration of power allowed him to implement policies, even when they were impractical or disastrous, such as the Great Leap Forward.
- The Great Leap Forward and Its Consequences: The Great Leap Forward, launched in the late 1950s, was a policy aimed at rapidly transforming China’s economy and society. However, it resulted in a devastating famine and significant social disruption, leading to millions of deaths. This policy failure marked a turning point in Mao’s leadership, as it showcased the erosion of pragmatism and the emergence of overambitious, unworkable objectives.
- The Cultural Revolution and Its Impact: The Cultural Revolution, initiated by Mao in the 1960s, was a radical social and political movement characterized by widespread chaos, purges, and the dismantling of party institutions. It reflected Mao’s pursuit of revolutionary purity and his disregard for the established party hierarchy. The Cultural Revolution had far-reaching consequences for Chinese society, leading to widespread suffering and the destabilization of the CCP leadership.
what are the three main goals of the party to consolidate power?
establish control
land reforms
eliminate enemies
After the formation of the PRC in 1949 begins a period of consolidation of power. What is the first step to this process?
establish control
power in china is militant and decentralised for centuries
- it gradually transitioned back to centralised control
Northern China is already a well established communist authority (post civil war) - allowed land reform policies etc
the party was an institution, a structure ; therefore the CCP must recruit new members from the rest of the country - to establish control
CCP expanded from 2.8m to 5.8m (1948-1950)
describe the second step in the process of power, after establishing power
land reform
the main policy of the party
the party takes land from the landlords and gives it back to the peasants to control (in theory) - conducted by PLA and party workers
the method had a sense of Maoism
1. peasants divided themselves into classes
2. the land confiscated from the landlords
3. the party stages public demonstrations (1.5-2m people executed)
main effect - a political one (old rural elite eliminated as a political threat) - CCP becomes new elite
land and agriculture is collectivised (1956). food supply is allocated by the state, everyone works and lives together on state farms
what is the third step in the process of power, after land reforms
eliminate enemies
a united front approach to rebuild China (communists, KMT, capitalists etc) - worry about differences later
to maintain party power (control), they needed everyone’s skills and expertise, despite ideology
enemy or friend of the party is decided by the party, hold the ability to change this definition and did after they were established
no accountability mechanisms endangers the capitalists and KMT (as of 1956 - established properly)
what is the 100 Flowers Movement?
it is a movement which encouraged and allowed economic criticism from within and outside the party
- many believed the party was using the wrong methods for economy (subjectivism)
- bureaucracy had become an issue due to stagnation ans its status as an entrenched class that might oppose change (lots of power)
Citizens wishes for accountability
Mao welcomes criticism and public debates as they are still loyal to the party, the party’s role isn’t being questioned. this is called loyal criticism, it calls for changes within the same framework, helping the party do better
‘let a hundred flowers bloom, let a hundred schools of thought content’
how did the hundred flowers movement backfire for the CCP?
the criticism and protests were more widespread and intense than expected
due to the fall of personality cults in the soviet union and eastern block some even criticised Mao
Anti-Rightists campaign - all protestors labelled as rightists and Mao cracks down, sending them to labour camps, killing them or prescribing self criticisms (550,000 persecuted)
later states this was a strategy to lure out the non-loyal members, however seems to be said to save face as the magnitude of the initial movement was miscalculated (potential revisionist history)
what was the great leap forward
a time of rapid industrialisation for China (1958-1960) through 5 years economic plans based on soviet experiences
industrialisation process:
1. channel all resources to make metal
2. extract as much as possible from the countryside
many leaders disagree with these methods (not unanimous)
what were the five main strategy points used by Mao to promote the great Leap forward?
- mobilise labour power - people works in industrial jobs (irrigation etc) alongside their regular jobs
- set ambitious goals record harvest goal for example. This also encourages over-reporting, and is not taking into consideration which plant grows well where etc. to grow state mandated corn
- Make steel: melt down any metal objects people have in backyard furnaces etc. unfortunately making it bad quality.
- Disregard technical norms: more, and faster, no time for scientific objection
- Increase control: due to collectivisation, check points, communal dinning, strict rations and resource allocation allowed the CCP to maintain more control
discuss the famine that took place following the great leap forward
Hunger spread throughout the country. Became widespread in 1958 and acknowledged in 1959, though the party blames local officials.
Hunger spread throughout the country. Became widespread in 1958 and acknowledged in 1959, though the party blames local officials.
party officials begin to debate the GLF
GLF becomes a test of personal loyalty to Mao as people, such as Pong gua Huay, disagree with Mao. Pong sent the leader a letter and is on house arrest, Mao doubles down, continuing extraction of starving areas
30-40 million people died of starvation and related diseases.
This damaged people’s view of the party, there were some subtle, uncoordinated and deniable protestations.
what is the Cultural Revolution?
Mao, having trouble with every day protestations for liberalisation, wants to establish a form of permanent revolution so China does not turn away from him. (like USSR did post Stalin)
the party was also damaged from the GLF and anti-rightist campaign
The youth has never experienced revolution, only party rule, leading them to steer away from genuine socialism and bring forth some revisionism (in the eyes of the party), which deviates from party line.
the CR occured from 1966-mid1970s
He encourages:
attack on the party itself, Mao mobilizes the youth masses, encourages them to attack authority.
“Destroy the old, establish the new”
attack of four olds - traditional culture (confucianism), habits, ideas and customs.
attack the ones supporting a capitalist road.
develops the Red Guard (youth party army) to attack party members
He also sends youth (like Xi Jinping) to live with families of peasants so they can experience the lifestyle.
how did the cultural revolution end?
the PLA establishes control after Mao had had enough
red guard split into factions and began fighting over different interpretations of Maoism in open warfare
what was the legacy of the cultural revolution?
- over 100,000 people died
- a marked intensification of ideology which governs China and CCP
