Reform + Control 1962-66 13. Leadership of PRC

Question 1

What was Mao’s Position like by 1962?

Answer 1

• 7000-cadre party conference revealed the growing divide in the CCP, more pragmatic policies were wanted by Lui Shaogui, Chen Yun and Deng which were against the radical idea of Maoism.
• Mao being sidelined like this led to his great helmsman status being questioned
• Pragmatic approaches summed up by ‘it doesn’t matter if the cat is black or white, if it catches the mouse then it’s a good cat’ meaning if the policies achieve its aims it doesn’t matter about the ideology. They began offering financial incentives and trade. Also brought about rehabilitating ‘rightist’ intellectuals.
• Mao still had faith in mass mobilisation and called the pragmatists ‘revisionists’ and mini-Khrushchev’s as he disliked his idea of peaceful co-existence
• Mao launched the socialist education campaign which reintroduced socialist values in society, the learn from the peasants’ movements sent cadres from cities to country to learn.

Question 2

Who were his supporters?

Answer 2

• Lin Biao (defence minister) – tightened the control of PLA over population and removed ranks in PLA, he published Mao’s little red book
• Shanghai Radicals – Jiang Quing Mao’s wife emphasised the need to cultural reform and propaganda, Chen Boda a theoretician in the party and a political secretary who made the ‘Red Flag’ (party journal)

Question 3

Who were his opponents?

Answer 3

Pragmatists, the purge of Peng Dehuai after the 7,000 cadre conference meant they’d be careful when opposing Mao,