Mao's Reasons for Launching the Cultural Revolution Flashcards
What happened to Mao at the end of the Great Leap Forward?
Retired to the ‘second line’
The GLF has been based on his ideological belief in:
- mass mobilisation
- class conflict
- trust in the power of revolutionary commitment
But this seemed to have FAILED—> the Great Famine
What did Liu and Deng do after the Great Leap Forward?
What was Mao’s reaction?
They took control of policy, advocating a much slower, more pragmatic approach
ANGER: the revolution he had worked so long towards was being subverted by opponents who weren’t ideologically committed enough
Why were the divisions in the CCP between ideologues and pragmatists a reason for Mao launching the cultural revolution?
In part, an effort to destroy the pragmatists and return China to his ideologically driven policies
Mao’s reasons for launching the Cultural Revolution:
The quest for permanent revolution
The final creation of communist China demanded on going revolution.
If people became comfortable, they would slip back into their old traditions, customs.
Their commitment needed to be constantly tested — every GENERATION needed to experience revolution (many people- inc. party- did not remember civil war struggles)
Another revolution would mobilise the masses and forge them into hardened revolutionaries— needed.
Mao’s reasons for launching the Cultural Revolution:
Attacks on the bureaucracy: what was the problem with the bureaucrats
When bureaucrats stopped working to create revolution:
— they would become like any other bourgeois ruling class, the government would become corrupt & inefficient (like GMD)
— comfortable, lazy
— take advantage of their status to improve their lives: luxuries (houses, cars, food, school places)
— the new MANDARINS
Mao’s reasons for launching the Cultural Revolution:
Attacks on the bureaucracy: what was needed to solve the bureaucrat problem?
UPHEAVAL within the Party: constant struggle: those in authority being replaced by zeal is new communists.
CR— to mobilise the masses to purge bourgeois bureaucrats and replace them with those LOYAL to HIMSELF
CCP: Mao compared to a healthy body: breathing air and exhaling carbon dioxide.
“A proletarian party must also get rid of the shale and take in the fresh, for only this can it be full of vitality”
Mao’s reasons for launching the Cultural Revolution:
Divisions within the CCP between supported and opponents of Mao’s policies:
Who were Mao’s supporters?
(CCP divided over Mao’s ideological outlook)
Some very committed supporters:
Chen Boda— chief of propaganda
Lang Sheng— chief of secret police
Jiang Qing
Lin Biao— head of PLA
- Provided vital support in his plan to purge his rivals
- part of the Central Cultural Revolution Group (subcommittee within politburo)
- believed gov & Party had become “bureaucratised”— campaign needed to: -remove counter-revolutionary opponents -replace them with fervent, committed radicals.
Mao’s reasons for launching the Cultural Revolution:
Divisions within the CCP between supported and opponents of Mao’s policies:
Mao’s opponents— who were they, what did they believe
Pragmatist (committed communists but wanted more rational, pragmatic approach)
Believed the GLF— too radical n ambitious
Liu and Deng
Chen Yun, Bo Yibo (economic planners)— experts and intellectuals needed to help run the economy
Mao’s reasons for launching the Cultural Revolution:
Divisions within the CCP between supported and opponents of Mao’s policies:
Mao’s opponents: why could he not simply remove them?
Popular among people and party
Instead, Cultural Revolution used as a means to attack them
Mao’s reasons for launching the Cultural Revolution:
Divisions within the CCP between supported and opponents of Mao’s policies:
Mao’s opponents: talk to me about the play, bro.
PLAY ‘Hai Rui Dismissed from Office’ —
Ming dynasty official dismissed for criticising the Emperor
SEEN BY MAO & ALLIES as a veiled criticism of Mao’s treatment of Peng—
Who decided to allow its publication? Peng Zhen (mayor of Beijing)
What happened to him? Criticised, forced to resign.
Good friend of Liu and Deng— when he was removed, it was asked for Mao to attack them.
