Power Struggles After Mao But First

OPVL Paper 1 Practice

Introduction 1976, Mao dead Similar problems of economic stagnation In charge of China since 1949 Similar problems of economic stagnation Will be able to achieve growth without losing one-party rule

Mao Closest political ally Zhou Enlai Had consolidated the power of the CCP Attempted to assert his independence of the USSR Various political and economic actions Five-year plan Hundred Flowers Anti-Rightist Great Leap Forward Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution

Great Leap Forward Jan. 1958, attempt to modernize agriculture and industry Grouped in communes Initial successes, but things go wrong, famine 1959-61 Three Bitter Years Some criticized Mao, led to loss of influence Liu Shaoqi took over as president Allowed private plots, bonuses, recovery

Socialist Education and Rightist Deviations Mao concerned about creeping capitalism Corrected Rightist deviation with new movement, rallies, meetings May 1963, First Ten Points, set down socialist objectives New versions by Deng Xiaoping and Liu Shaoqi, less firm Mao supported by Lin Biao, minister of defense, used PLA to publish Quotations

Intellectuals and Revolutionary Successors 1964, sent intellectuals away to learn from peasants Wanted education combined with productive labor Further concerns about capitalists 1965, Twenty-three Articles Start of Cultural Revolution Liuists versus Maoists divided

Cultural Revolution 1966, seeking to eliminate capitalism and restore power Relied on PLA and youth Became violent, 400,000 died Called for Four Olds to be destroyed Ideas, culture, customs, habits Liu Shaoqi dismissed, Deng Xiaoping sent down to the countryside Red Guards fought with one another, Mao calls in PLA Production had been distracted, declined Mao did gain power

Power Struggle Divisions growing Liu had issued strong warnings about US in Vietnam Had wanted to revive Soviet alliance Lin Biao attacked Soviet and US imperialism Mao and Zhou saw USSR as main threat Lin and Mao vying for party control 1970, attached Zhou’s foreign and domestic policies

571 Affair Lin Biao with doubts about Mao’s direction Minister of defense Mao tried to remove supporters around him, ordered his troops away 1970, Mao announces Nixon can visit 1971, Lin vanished from public view Purge of military and civilian admin.

Rightists Versus Leftists Liuists and Maoists still divided 1973, Zhou Enlai helps Deng return to Beijing Mao’s health deteriorating Several rightists being restored Led by Zhao and Deng Leftists led by Jiang Qing, three radical party members Gang of Four 1973, rightists victories in elections

Gang of Four Jiang had headed GPCR Yao Wenyuan, chief propagandist Wang Hongwen, trade union leader Zhang Chunqiao, deputy sec. of Shanghai’s Mun. Comm. All favored more revolutionary approach Power base with cultural or media organizations Little support from military or in party

Turn to the US 1972, Nixon visit Resulted in Shanghai Communique, normalization of Sino-American relations Rightists wanted to build wealthy China Leftists wanted to revolutionary line

Four Modernizations Economic plan between 1974-76 Favored by Rightists Deng and Zhou working together Modernizations of agriculture, industry, science, technology defense Jiang continued demands of CR Mao dying, giving influence to nephew Mao Yuanxin Gave Gang of Four an advantage

Power Struggle 1976-81 1976, Zhou and Mao both die Gang of Four still around Leftists versus Rightists Deng versus Jiang Those in the middle, centrist group led by Hua Guofeng No serious objections to him ascending after Mao’s death

Qingming Festival, 1976 April 1976, followed Zhou’s death in January Paid respects to ancestors Gang cut it short Support for him was also critical of Mao and the Gang Hua asks Mao what to do, uses force Accusations against Deng, removed from power

Mao’s Death September 9, 1976 Hua and Jiang attack one another Jiang tried to make it look life she was Mao’s choice successor Hua and Jiang attack one another Gang tries a coup in October Military informs Hua, fails

Defeat of the Gang of Four Hua works with Deng to arrest Gang Called emergency meeting of Politburo Zhang and Wang arrested there Yao and Jiang caught later Portrayed as power hungry Mao untarnished Tried in 1980 for offenses of CR, Jiang said she only acted under Mao’s orders All given life sentences, Yao 20 years

Rise of Deng Xiaoping Politburo gives Hua three tasks Replace Mao Rehabilitate Deng Modernize Deng quickly re-admittted to Politburo, Central Committee, State Council, Military Commission, Chief of Staff of PLA Deng put in charge of Four Modernizations Hua announced end of CR

Hua and Whateversists Uphold whatever Mao’s policies were and follow whatever his directions were But many wanted to move on from him Hua’s power being reduced by Deng Challenge whatever approach Criticized Lin Biao and Gang Hua resigns as premier in 1980, replaced by Deng’s man, Zhao Ziyang April 1981, Deng’s supporter Hu Yaobang, became GS of CCP 1981, Hua resigns from all other posts End of Mao era Now modernization