The Rise and Rule of Mao Zedong IB 20th Century Topics

Referred to as Chairman Mao Chinese communist revolutionary guerrilla warfare strategist author political theorist and leader of the Chinese Revolution. He was the architect of the People's Republic of China (PRC) from its establishment in 1949, and held authoritarian control over the nation until his death in 1976. His theoretical contribution to Marxism-Leninism, along with his military strategies and brand of political policies, are now collectively known as Maoism.

Early Life Born in 1893 His father was a poor peasant who was able to become a landowner and businessman Received a basic education and learned a lot about political and economic problems in China (e.g. widespread famines) 5

DISCUSS Based on these sources, what is one problem the Chinese were facing when Mao was growing up? 6

China As Mao Was Growing Up: Problems With the Manchu Dynasty The emperors were not strong leaders, which trickled down to other government officials, who were incompetent Heavy taxes were put on the people Large disparity between the rich and poor Widespread poverty Gov’t officials accepted money and gifts for political appointments Foreign countries had spheres of influence where they dominated

Communism Moved to City 1918 Quickly became a strong believer in Communism and edited radical magazines, organized trade unions, and started schools of his own. Became one of the 50 founding members of the Chinese Communist Party Failed in his early attempts to be a leader in the Party and his role in Party activities was decreased dramatically Inspired by Communist revolution in Russia 8

Focus on the Peasants Mao went back to Rural China He learned peasants financial situation and the ways they were being abused by the landowning class Rose again as a leader in the Party, where he advocated that peasants should lead the revolution 9

Based on this map, what struggles is China having in the 1930s? 10

Mao Zedong forms Communist Party New Nationalist leader Jiang Kai-Shek 1927 Northern Expedition eliminate Communist This essentially starts the war

Was a military retreat of Mao and his Red army to avoid Nationalist Retreat to rural Northern Areas In these territories they gain peasant support and rebuild red Army Long March helped place Mao in a position of Power After he would become leader of Communist The Long March 1934-1935

Mao Zedong- becomes leader of Chinese Communists during the “Long March” -advocated land reform & tax reform = gained peasant support Result: - peasants joined Communists - many join Red Army (Communist Army) - could resist Nationalists

Based on the following quotes, what is one of Mao’s ideas about society? “[A] great many so-called intellectuals are actually exceedingly unlearned . . . The knowledge of workers and peasants is sometimes greater than theirs.” “Books cannot walk, and you can open and close a book at will; this is the easiest thing in the world to do, a great deal easier than it is for the cook to prepare a meal . . . [or] for him to slaughter a pig.” 14

The Chinese Civil War Chinese Civil War Kuomintang or Guomintang Nationalist vs CCP Communist 1927-1937 Initial Civil War 1937-1945 Stop to fight the Japanese 1946-1949 Communist Victory

Chinese Civil War continues after WWII 1945-1949 Communist Mao Zedong- Red Army Rural areas Northern China -USSR SUPPORT-spread com -Rural and poor supported Promise land for all Nationalist Jiang Kai Shek- Control Cities in southern China -USA SUPPORT- capitalism Wealthy supported

Stronger Red Army won Civil War -2 Chinas 1.Republic of China (Nationalist)- moves to Island of Taiwan -US support 2.Peoples Republic of China (communist) -1949 lead by Mao Zedong Create alliance with USSR China expands-1950’s China takes Tibet, Mongolia, parts of India

Relationship Between Leadership and the Masses Mao developed a program of contact with the masses that became known as the “mass line”. : Investigating the conditions of people Learning about and participating in their struggles Gathering ideas from them Creating a plan of action based on these ideas and concerns It was a powerful tool of propaganda. By 1945, the communists had reached 100 million people and the mass line was carried to the people by 1 million members

The “Cult” of Mao Mao became the chairman of the Communist Central Committee All the leaders in the party praised him and encouraged people to listen to his wisdom In 1943, several leaders in the Party began to rewrite Chinese Party history so that Mao would be seen as responsible for all the advances of the Party 19

What does the following excerpt suggest about Mao’s Power? “The Chinese Communist Party takes Mao Zedong’s thought – the thought that unites Marxist-Leninist theory and the practice of the Chinese revolution – as the guide for all its work, and opposes all dogmatic or empiricist deviations.” ~Preamble to the Constitution of the Communist Party 20

People’s Republic of China - 1949 Communist have full control by1949 Mao’s ideas formed the basis for all Party activities and government decisions They took control of the media and the education system and began taking land away from the wealthy and distributing it among all people 21

Mao’s Domestic Policy

Collectivization 1950’s- gave land to peasants live and work on together Wealthy had land taken Private companies were nationalized. Those who refused to give land were executed or sent to work camps Communes were created where entire community would work land together

2. Great Leap Forward In January of 1958, five-year plan Planned to develop agriculture and industry

Great Leap Forward - 1958 Attempt to modernize China People were forced to grow grain and melt metals down to produce steel Given quotas to reach or they would get punished Lied about quotes and actually under produced food Led to widespread famine and death Damaged Mao’s reputation 25

Great Leap? Hoped to catch up to England and surpass America Unproven and unscientific new agricultural techniques were implemented Under this plan the economy nearly collapsed

Great Leap Backward The entire country were forced to recycle steel, and food reserves were depleted Millions of people died, mainly due to famine

3. Cultural Revolution Mao needed a comeback He organized students and mobilized them throughout the country to spread his ideas and wipe out anyone who tried to contradict him He created an extremely effective propaganda campaign that again brought him back to power. 28

The Cultural Revolution 1966-1976 Mao’s tactic to secure his power against reforms Red Guards were formed in 1966

The Red Guards Red Guards were a mass movement of civilians, mostly students and other young people in China were mobilized by Mao Zedong in 1966 and 1967, during the Cultural Revolution

The Cultural Revolution Red Guards to attack the 'Four Olds' of Chinese society (old customs, old culture, old habits and old ideas). Old books and art were destroyed, museums were ransacked, streets were renamed with new revolutionary names Many famous temples, shrines, and other heritage sites in Beijing were attacked

Cultural Rev Con’t Forced bureaucrats, professors, technicians, intellectuals, and other non-peasants into rural work It is estimated that seven million were killed during the decade China’s economy suffered

DISCUSS WHY DID THE CHINESE GOV AND ECONOMY FAIL DURING THIS PERIOD?

Mao’s Foreign Policy

Support of Foreign Revolutions Supported and funded Communist Revolutions Funded N. Korea in their attack on the south Sent 300,000 troops to fight for N Korea Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia Support of Foreign Revolutions

1950 Signed Sino-Soviet Treaty of Friendship and Alliance Mao trusted respected Stalin 1953 Stalin Dies USSR under Khrushchev starts De-Stalinization China Losses Respect of USSR Conflict over what form of communism to spread China Denounce USSR for Cuba USSR denounce China for attacking India 1968-69 Border Crisis Bad Relations Between USSR China Shanghai Communiqué 1972 US and China begin Communications US and USSR Relations

Mao’s Opposition Mao never really succeeded in destroying entire opposition Mao set up a Chinese Gulag - an empire of slave labor camps filled with poorly fed "counter-revolutionaries."

Mao’s Death Counts Under Mao Murdered 40 million or more The majority of Mao’s killings were because of man-made famine Mao executed nearly 10 million educated professionals, and others

Mao’s End At the age of 82, Mao died September 9, 1976 After his death there was a power struggle in China, but eventually moderates came to power and Mao’s regime came to an end