Mao & the cultural Revolution Ms. Mitchell Cultural Revolutions Andover High School

1949 Communist Party takes over ChinaCommunist Party takes over China Sweeping social changesSweeping social changes Previous rulers and intellectuals labeled as “black elements” or “rightist”Previous rulers and intellectuals labeled as “black elements” or “rightist” People discontented by China’s economic and political changes.People discontented by China’s economic and political changes. Cultural Revolution would give their discontented a time/way to air their grievances and an avenue to oppose China’s new power structureCultural Revolution would give their discontented a time/way to air their grievances and an avenue to oppose China’s new power structure

Great leap forward 1957, Mao Zedong calls for an increase in the speed of growth of “actual socialism”1957, Mao Zedong calls for an increase in the speed of growth of “actual socialism” This is as opposed to “dictatorial socialism”This is as opposed to “dictatorial socialism” Established special communes in the countryside through collective labor and mass mobilization.Established special communes in the countryside through collective labor and mass mobilization. Intended to increase production of steel and raise agricultural levels.Intended to increase production of steel and raise agricultural levels.

Problems with the GLF Peasants produced too much steel and other areas were neglected.Peasants produced too much steel and other areas were neglected. Peasantry and farmers did not know how to make steel and were not given the proper tools and machinery.Peasantry and farmers did not know how to make steel and were not given the proper tools and machinery.

Problems, cntd. Farming and household items were melted down to produce enough ore for the steel production.Farming and household items were melted down to produce enough ore for the steel production. Flip side of this meant agricultural production was slowed down.Flip side of this meant agricultural production was slowed down. The snowball effect was a decline in production of most goods (other than steel).The snowball effect was a decline in production of most goods (other than steel). Though steel production dramatically increased, poorly trained workers and a lack of materials led to most of the steel being useless.Though steel production dramatically increased, poorly trained workers and a lack of materials led to most of the steel being useless. In order to appear patriotic or supportive of the party, peasants would report grossly unrealistic production numbers, exacerbating the problem.In order to appear patriotic or supportive of the party, peasants would report grossly unrealistic production numbers, exacerbating the problem.

Example A farming community produces 20 tons of rice.A farming community produces 20 tons of rice. In order to appease Mao and the government they report producing 40 tons.In order to appease Mao and the government they report producing 40 tons. Government comes in and says, “Great! Now we take 50%, and you keep 50% to feed your people. 50% of 40 tons is 20 tons. Thank you so much for doing your part!”Government comes in and says, “Great! Now we take 50%, and you keep 50% to feed your people. 50% of 40 tons is 20 tons. Thank you so much for doing your part!” Community is left with nothing to feed themselves because they only had 20 tons to begin with.Community is left with nothing to feed themselves because they only had 20 tons to begin with.

Famine Over a 3-4 year period a combination of food shortages, climactic conditions, and natural disasters put the death toll at approximately 38 million people.Over a 3-4 year period a combination of food shortages, climactic conditions, and natural disasters put the death toll at approximately 38 million people. All the while China was exporting grain to save face with the outside world.All the while China was exporting grain to save face with the outside world.

Mao loses power Liu Shaoqi puts an end to many of the GLF’s policies that led to the famine and other disasters.Liu Shaoqi puts an end to many of the GLF’s policies that led to the famine and other disasters. Ends rural communesEnds rural communes Restores older economic policiesRestores older economic policies Reforms were successful and Liu won supporters in the public and in the partyReforms were successful and Liu won supporters in the public and in the party With the help of Deng Xiaoping, Liu slowly begins to retire Mao from real power and turn him into a figurehead.With the help of Deng Xiaoping, Liu slowly begins to retire Mao from real power and turn him into a figurehead. Mao creates the Socialist Education Movement in 1963 to try to keep some support.Mao creates the Socialist Education Movement in 1963 to try to keep some support.

Cultural Revolution Launched by Mao Zedong on May 16, 1966.Launched by Mao Zedong on May 16, Also called the Great Proletarian RevolutionAlso called the Great Proletarian Revolution Struggle for power with the Communist Party.Struggle for power with the Communist Party. Mao had begun to lose power and was attempting to regain controlMao had begun to lose power and was attempting to regain control Grew to include much of society and brought the country to the brink of civil war.Grew to include much of society and brought the country to the brink of civil war. Mao officially declared the Cultural Revolution over in 1969, though many use the term to include the time between 1969 and 1976 as well.Mao officially declared the Cultural Revolution over in 1969, though many use the term to include the time between 1969 and 1976 as well.

“A great revolution that touches people to their very souls and constitutes a new stage in the development of the socialist revolution in our country, a deeper and more extensive stage”

The message Though the bourgeoisie had been overthrown in the late 1940s, their outdated ideas, culture, customs, and habits were trying to corrupt the masses, capture their minds, ad endeavor to stage a comebackThough the bourgeoisie had been overthrown in the late 1940s, their outdated ideas, culture, customs, and habits were trying to corrupt the masses, capture their minds, ad endeavor to stage a comeback The proletariat must meet head-on every challenge of the bourgeoisie class through the use of new ideas, cultures, customs, and habits.The proletariat must meet head-on every challenge of the bourgeoisie class through the use of new ideas, cultures, customs, and habits. The proletariat is responsible for changing the mental outlook of the whole society.The proletariat is responsible for changing the mental outlook of the whole society.

The Message, cntd. Objective is to struggle against and crush people in positions of authority who are promoting capitalism and the bourgeois academics.Objective is to struggle against and crush people in positions of authority who are promoting capitalism and the bourgeois academics. Transform education, literature, art (and any other areas other than the economic base) so as to make sure the socialist system exists in every area of life.Transform education, literature, art (and any other areas other than the economic base) so as to make sure the socialist system exists in every area of life.

The Red Guard Students for MaoStudents for Mao Started by passing out leaflets, publically posting the names of counter revolutionaries, and producing educational plays about the benefits of socialism.Started by passing out leaflets, publically posting the names of counter revolutionaries, and producing educational plays about the benefits of socialism. Though never officially condoned by the party, “verbal struggles” between Red Guards and counter revolutionaries often became violent.Though never officially condoned by the party, “verbal struggles” between Red Guards and counter revolutionaries often became violent. Only after the Red Guards seize government weapons to use against their “enemies” did the government start to disband themOnly after the Red Guards seize government weapons to use against their “enemies” did the government start to disband them

Down to the Countryside December 1968, Mao begins the “Down to the Countryside Movement” (Lasted about a decade)December 1968, Mao begins the “Down to the Countryside Movement” (Lasted about a decade) Young intellectuals living in the city ordered/forced to move to the countryside to become “re-educated” (Approx. 12 million)Young intellectuals living in the city ordered/forced to move to the countryside to become “re-educated” (Approx. 12 million) Re-education involved having to work on the land and essentially fend for themselves. Often unwelcomed and resented by the communities they were forced to live in.Re-education involved having to work on the land and essentially fend for themselves. Often unwelcomed and resented by the communities they were forced to live in. This was in some ways a quiet way of getting rid of the Red Guard members.This was in some ways a quiet way of getting rid of the Red Guard members.