Aim: How did “ revolution ” create a different type decolonization? Case study: China

Mao ’ s Communism: Differences with Lenin and Soviets Peasants as the revolutionary elements – true or making lemonade from lemons? The revolutionary countryside will surround the bourgeois city “ We must not digest Western ideas raw ” Similarity: “ Leninist-type ” political party Is Mao a “Fanon-ist?”

Great Leap Forward Abandons “slow but steady” approach; discards Soviet model of Five Year Plans Collectivizes land into giant communes of 20–30,000 people Decentralization of economy – Communes are supposed to be self-sufficient Idea that “revolutionary enthusiasm” was all that was needed Mao rejects reports that it was not working – mass starvation in countryside

Cultural Revolution Mao unleashes “the youth” against Party bureaucrats to regain power Period of “Learning from the ‘Little Red Book’” Education and learning denigrated – high schools and colleges shut down for ten years Intellectuals sent to the countryside to “learn from the peasants” Massive disruption of society – anyone can be a class enemy

Similarities and Differences with Stalinist Russia Internal opposition suppressed, even within Party Radical changes implemented Overwhelming state force and propaganda utilized Stalin seems more of a natural bureaucrat Mao more of a natural anarchist

Is Mao a “Fanon-ist?” Is he attempting to create a new synthesis through “permanent revolution?”