Mao Zedong’s Regime

Mao Zedong Born in 1889, China was falling apart Born in 1889, China was falling apart Grew up on a farm, and was beat by his father Grew up on a farm, and was beat by his father Mao’s beliefs were influenced be Shang Yang Mao’s beliefs were influenced be Shang Yang

Mao Zedong Around he built the Red Army Around he built the Red Army 1931 he was elected chairman of Soviet Republic of China 1931 he was elected chairman of Soviet Republic of China

China and Zedong People’s Republic was est. Oct 1, 1949 People’s Republic was est. Oct 1, 1949 In 1949 Communists had taken almost all of mainland of China In 1949 Communists had taken almost all of mainland of China From 1954 to 1959, Mao was chairman of PRC From 1954 to 1959, Mao was chairman of PRC 1958, Mao launched Great Leap Forward 1958, Mao launched Great Leap Forward

Great Leap Forward In January of 1958, five-year plan In January of 1958, five-year plan Planned to develop agriculture and industry Planned to develop agriculture and industry

Great Leap? Hoped to catch up to England and surpass America Hoped to catch up to England and surpass America Unproven and unscientific new agricultural techniques were implemented Unproven and unscientific new agricultural techniques were implemented Under this plan the economy nearly collapsed Under this plan the economy nearly collapsed

Great Leap Backward The entire country were forced to recycle steel, and food reserves were depleted The entire country were forced to recycle steel, and food reserves were depleted In some regions, after all mice, insects, and tree bark were consumed, some resulted to cannibalism In some regions, after all mice, insects, and tree bark were consumed, some resulted to cannibalism About 30 million people died, mainly due to famine About 30 million people died, mainly due to famine

The Cultural Revolution Mao’s tactic to secure his power against reforms Mao’s tactic to secure his power against reforms Red Guards were formed in 1966 Red Guards were formed in 1966

Cultural Revolution Forced bureaucrats, professors, technicians, intellectuals, and other non- peasants into rural work Forced bureaucrats, professors, technicians, intellectuals, and other non- peasants into rural work It is estimated that seven million were killed during the decade It is estimated that seven million were killed during the decade China’s economy suffered China’s economy suffered

Mao’s End At the age of 82, Mao died September 9, 1976 At the age of 82, Mao died September 9, 1976 He died of Lou Gehrig’s disease. He died of Lou Gehrig’s disease. After his death there was a power struggle in China, but eventually moderates came to power and Mao’s regime came to an end. After his death there was a power struggle in China, but eventually moderates came to power and Mao’s regime came to an end.

Mao’s Legacy Has produced great controversy Has produced great controversy Some see him as a great revolutionary leader who made some big mistakes later in his life Some see him as a great revolutionary leader who made some big mistakes later in his life Mao’s made huge mistakes such as the Great Leap Forward, Cultural Rev., and birth control. Mao’s made huge mistakes such as the Great Leap Forward, Cultural Rev., and birth control. statistics say that the illiteracy rate and life expectancy was greatly improved while Mao was in power statistics say that the illiteracy rate and life expectancy was greatly improved while Mao was in power It is argued that he developed them into a major world power It is argued that he developed them into a major world power By abolishing prostitution, some think he improved women’s rights By abolishing prostitution, some think he improved women’s rights Some Some

Mao vs. Other Genocides Murdered more people than Hitler, estimated 40 million or more Murdered more people than Hitler, estimated 40 million or more The majority of Mao’s killings were because of man-made famine The majority of Mao’s killings were because of man-made famine Mao executed nearly 10 million educated professionals, and others Mao executed nearly 10 million educated professionals, and others

Mao vs. Other Genocides Tyrannized the world's most populous nation for more than a quarter century Tyrannized the world's most populous nation for more than a quarter century Mao never really succeeded in destroying entire opposition Mao never really succeeded in destroying entire opposition Mao set up a Chinese Gulag - an empire of slave labor camps filled with poorly fed "counter-revolutionaries." Mao set up a Chinese Gulag - an empire of slave labor camps filled with poorly fed "counter-revolutionaries."