Winding Down the Cultural Revolution, 1968-76 Flashcards
By what year was it clear to Mao that the violence and anarchy he had encouraged was out of control?
1968
Why was Mao concerned about the purging of capitalist roaders in the PLA?
“un-strategic”
Worried that if it continued, China would be vulnerable for attack from foreign countries
(esp. USSR: Islamic provinces bordered Xingjiang)
Why were economic concerns a factor in the restoration of order by the PLA?
It was clearly suffering from the constant violence and upheaval
What did Mao do to address the issues of china’s poor economy and subjectivity to foreign attacks after the Cultural Revolution?
Sent in the PLA to restore order
Why were the PLA very happy to restore order?
Feared that the Red Guards might become too powerful, rival their authority.
PLA commanders feared that struggle meetings, denunciations and violence might spread into the ranks of the PLA (weakening it as a fighting force)
How did the PLA restore order after the CR?
Launched a wave of terror in support of the “Cleansing of Class Ranks” campaign
Up to 1.84m arrested for being “spies”, “bad elements”, “newly emerged counter-revolutionaries”
Thousands of people were imprisoned, beaten to death, committed suicide
What did the PLA do to the education system after the CR?
Restored order to it
Enabled schools and colleges to reopen after being closed for two years
Red Guards protested: a “black hand” was seeking to suppress them
Mao: “I am the black hand”
Mao needed to disband the Red Guards. How?
18m young guards sent to “cool off” in the countryside— part of “Up to the mountains and down to the villages” campaign
Why did Mao launch the “Up to the mountains and down to the villages” campaign, officially?
To help them understand the importance of manual labour
Realise how important peasants had been to the revolution
Why did Mao launch the “up to the mountains and down to the villages” campaign in reality?
Helped Mao restore order:
- Sent to remote areas: couldn’t organise violent actions
- Reduced urban unemployment
What did the young people feel about the “Up to the mountains and down to the villages” campaign?
HATED IT
Shocked by how poor the peasants were, by how hard they had to work
May became disillusioned with Mao
(esp. when they discovered that those with party connections/influential families could quickly return to the cities)
(Those without— their exile to the countryside was permanent)
How did the peasants feel about the “Up to the mountains and down to the villages” campaign?
Resented having to share their meagre food supply with the newcomers (inexperienced at manual labour)
What was the one positive of the “Up to the mountains and down to the villages” campaign?
Barefoot doctors initiative:
Helped train paramedics who could care for the peasants
For many in the villages: the first modern, trained doctor they had ever met
