The Dictatorship Of Mao Zedong/ Maon Tse-tung

By Jessica Avila and Leana Gianan

Biography of Mao

Born on December 26, 1893 He was born Shaoshan, in the Hunan province to

a peasant family. He worked on his father’s farm after being

expelled from school. He didn’t get along with his father

› Who already mapped out a future for him He left his home to study in the capital city of

Hunan, Changsha.

Warlords Take Over China

The Qing Dynasty collapses Early 1912 the Republic of China was established

› Sun Yatsen as president Yuan Shikai hijacks the republican movement

› Declared himself China’s president› Attempted to find his own dynasty before being forced

down. Lacking a strong government, warlords begin to take

over› Various regional warlords fought one another for supremacy.

Mao Becomes A Communist

There were a number of foreign influences in Changsha

Radical students like Mao wanted to oust the provincial warlord who collaborated with foreigners.› Went to Peking to unsuccessfully lobby the government

On October 10, 1911, revolution broke out in Wuchang and quickly spread to other cities including Changsha.

Mao Becomes A Communist

In 1918, Mao graduates from Hunan First Normal School and attends Beijing University› Where he worked as an assistant librarian.

Came to know about communist leaders and became drawn to their ideas.

Read up on Marxism and was convinced that it should be the philosophical basis of the Chinese Revolution› It would also save China from poverty and

backwardness.

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP)

In 1921, Mao became one of the dozen who established the Chinese Communist Party.› Mao organized the branch in the Lin Changsha

primary school, where he was principal. The Comintern (Soviets) urges the CCP to join

the Nationalists, or the Kuomintang.› Formed by Sun Yatsen

Soviets wanted to help the nationalists get rid of Western influence in China

The CCP and the Kuomintang In 1922, the CCP entered an alliance with the

Kuomintang. The nationalist and communists would work

together in order to end civil war between warlords and unify the country.

Chiang Kai-shek

After the death of Sun Yat-sen, Chiang Kai-shek became the leader of the Nationalist party

Declared “world revolution” and wished to benefit himself of Russian aid.› But still he wanted to control his own “house”

Therefore he expelled most communists from responsibilities in the party in May 1926

Mao left in October.

Split of Kuomintang and the CCP

In April 1927, the Peking authorities raided Russian premises and seized documents that revealed Moscow trying to overthrown Peking government.› There were also soviet links with the Chinese

communists. Chiang Kai-shek organizes massacres of

members of the CCP

CCP Flees In 1927, Mao led an uprising against Chiang Kai-

shek’s nationalist forces but failed. › Led to him rebuilding his army in the Jinggang

Mountains. Chiang Kai-Shek led military campaigns against

the Communists.

The Long March

Kuomintang began a series of attacks against Mao in the mountains

Led to the Long March to Shaanxi province in 1934- 1935› Nationalists continued to attack the communists during the

year-long trek. This would be a critical turning point in Mao’s life.

› The CCP had survived› Because of Mao’s leadership, the Communists power had been

cemented. Mao was made chairman of the CCP

The CCP Grows

Many revolutionists, disgusted by Chiang’s Nationalist government, went to Yan’an to join the CCP.

Mao also redistributed land in the Yan’an area to the peasants.

He transformed his army into a force of peasant soldiers › Who when not fighting, farmed

Ensured self-sufficiency.

Mao Takes Over

In July 1937, Japan launched a full-scale invasion of China.

Chiang Kai-shek was forced into an alliance with the Communists. › There were still very little cooperation between the CCP and the

Kuomintang While the CCP formed small units and waged guerilla

warfare against the Japanese, Chiang withdrew to remote Chongqing.

By 1945, Mao won the support of peasants and Communist base areas had been established throughout the country.

Mao Takes Over

Civil War erupted in October of 1945.› Chiang had ordered his forces to attack the communists.

Kuomintang troops controlled the cities But Mao controlled the country side His mastery of guerilla tactics wore Chiang’s army

down. In less than 5 years, the Communists defeated the

Kuomintang.› Chiang and his remaining supporters were forced to flee to

Taiwan.

The People’s Republic of China

October 1, 1949, Mao proclaimed the establishment of the People’s Republic of China (PCR)

Mao realized that to build the nation, the cities had to lead and guide the countryside.

During 1949 – 1953, policies toward the cities focused on restoring order, rehabilitating economy, and above all, fix the disastrous inflation out of the urban economy.

Great Leap Forward

A program designed so China could “catch up” with the world’s leading economic powers.

Done through sheer force of its people’s will and without foreign aid.

Mao decided that China could become a major steel producer if citizens set up homemade furnaces in their backyards. › But much of the steel produced in the backyard furnaces

were unusable. › Led to famine and death of million of Chinese

Solidifying His Power

After the Great Leap Forward, Mao was forced to step down for a while. › Party leaders sought to help China recover during this

time by de-emphasizing political ideology and embracing practical strategies for economic development.

Mao never admits his mistakes in any of the ill-advised movements he initiated.› Instead he blames intellectuals for failing him.

Great Leap Forward In response to the criticism he was facing, he

issued the the call:“Never Forget the Class struggle.

Over the next 3 years, he started a nationwide Socialist Movement.› Through which he successfully eliminated opponents

in the party leadership.

Cultural Revolution

Darkest period in the history of the people’s republic of china

Mao launched mass movements› Became more radical› Believed party members betrayed communist doctrine› Chinas educated people believed more in the old ways

than the new ways brought by the communists.

Cultural Revolution

The cultural movement was mainly pointed towards the teens and people in their twenties› “The red guard”› Red= communism› Purpose was to Guard communism

Appeared at rallies› greeted his supporters› Shouted slogans and praises› Fight capitalism and feudalism› “to rebel is justified”

Downside To Cultural Revolution Destroyed a great deal of china’s heritage Killed and persecuted a large number of Chinese

citizens› “Counter revolutionaries” or “capitalist roaders”

Party members Intellectuals Government officials

“Ten Year Of Calamity”

Mao was praised with songs and dances His sayings were recorded in “The Little Red

Book” › Was carried everywhere by everyone and was quoted as

many times deemed possible Pictures of Mao were posted in every public

building and household Any type of disrespect towards Mao was punished

by imprisonment or death be it intentional or not.

Jiang Qing

Was a former actress and art critic.› One of the most powerful public figures

Married Mao in 1939.› Had 2 daughters.

She was responsible for presenting her family to the media and the members of the party’s leadership.

She recruited her own base of allies.› Zhang Chun-qiao – the leader of the Communist party› Yao Wen-yuan - writer

Jiang Qing

Believed that Chinese culture had been infected by ancient Chinese and Western influences.

She publicly denounced many of China’s most popular plays and movies, and replaced them with her own works.

› Which embodied the correct revolutionary ideals. Produced plays and operas to extol party line, and acted as

the cultural advisor for the revolution. Used the Red guards to attack many of her own political

opponents.› Red guards targeted Western clothing, music, and literature.

Question

Analyze the methods used by a totalitarian regime to maintain power.

Jiang Qing

Jiang Qing› Former TV Actress› Very popular

Used her theatrical influence to change people’s minds about Mao.› Denounced popular plays and movies

Created her own works with the correct revolutionary ideals.

Red Guards

The youth groups Maintained people’s beliefs Destroyed everything that symbolized China’s

past or incorrect thoughts. Tortured those who didn’t respect in Mao and his

beliefs.

Charm

Appeared at rallies› greeted his supporters› Shouted slogans and praises› Fight capitalism and feudalism› “to rebel is justified”

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