Leadership of Mao Zedong

Niyanthesh Reddy, Damien Deszi, Danny Alban, and Lauren Donnelly

IB History of the Americas

Early Life

Born in 1893 in Shaoshan, China (Central Part) His father was a poor peasant who became a landowner and

businessman. (Máo Yíchāng). Basic education…

- Hunan First Normal School- Peking University

During these years, he learned a lot about political and economic problems in China.

Conditions of Authoritarian States in China1911 Revolution

Creation of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party)

Shanghai Massacre (1927)

Warlords Period

Chinese Civil War

 

Emergence of Mao Zedong Wanted good economy 5 Years Plan helped China become more independent

(agriculture) Gain control of cities Attacked religion Wanted to Wipeout landlords Introduced insurance, gave industry workers 60^-80%

pensions

Totalitarianism in China- Single Party After defeating the KMT (Kuomintang) in the

Chinese Civil War, he established the CCP (Communist Party)

Popularity and extermination of competition allowed him to become very close to the Chinese public.

Methods: Force or Legal Chairman Mao used force… - Cultural Revolution - Great Leap Forward - Exterminating Opposition

Form of Government under Mao China became communist Underlying principle is Maoism Mao wanted to create a group of communist

leaders who could take over capitalist individuals and firms.

Nature, Extent, and Treatment of Opposition

Through Mao’s intense propaganda and with extermination of all opposition so there was Little Chinese opposition.

Opposition increased after the Great Leap Forward, but was suppressed by the Red Cultural Revolution

Chinese War happened between the KMT and CCP.

Mao represented his opponents as supporters of Western culture.

Domestic Policies and their Impact The Organic Law (1949) Marriage Reform Law (1950) Agrarian Reform Law (1950)

Political Policies The government did not allow opposing

parties to express themselves legally. They controlled elections and monopolized political positions

Structure and Organization of Government and Administration

October 1, 1949- People’s Republic of China was officially made with Mao Zedong

The National People’s Congress (NPC) was made with Mao as its president

The power of the president includes promulgating statues adopted by the NPC.

Proclaiming martial law, declaring a state of war and issuing orders of mobilization, etc.

Economic Policy The government guaranteed all people a job

and income and had only public businesses controlled by the state. There was no private ownership of business.

The was also the economic event called the Great Leap Forward. This was an attempt to create a mass amount of labor improve the agricultural and industrial production. It was essentially a failure.

Social Policies Chairman Mao launched the Cultural

Revolution attempting to remove social impurities from the nation & revive the communist spirit.

Religious Policies Mao Zedong was a proponent of the Confucian

religion only because he believed the if the peasants followed this. It would be easier for him to justify himself as leader through this religion.

Besides this, he persecuted other religions, especially Christianity.

Role of Education, the Arts, The Media, Propaganda Mao initiated what was called cultural revolution which

changed many customs. The arts, the media, and propaganda were all aimed towards supporting the Communist Party.

- "Letting a hundred flowers blossom and a hundred schools of thought contend is the policy for promoting progress in the arts and the sciences and a flourishing socialist culture in our land.“

Education was guaranteed to everyone in collectivization including peasants. This led to many riots and protests along with genocide of those who resisted.

Status of Women, Treatment of Religious Groups, and Minorities

Mao was an advocate of women’s equality in society, though not in giving them privileges above any of his subordinates (Ex. Labor)

Mao realized that to keep his country together, minorities and their religious beliefs and customs had to be respected.