Politics in Mao’s China

Main Goals

1. National Unification• country had been through

civil war• had been divided by

Japanese

2. Transformation• determined to change the

political and social systems

3. Modernization• rapid economic

development

The Changes

• Overthrew landlords

• Gave land to peasants

• Outlawed arranged marriages

• Banned opium and prostitution

• Moved from a guerilla army to a party running a country

The Government• The CCP did not expel the

old government officials– support from more people– necessity

• Created resentment among old CCP members– felt they deserved to be

rewarded for loyalty– didn’t like emphasis on skill

and experience over party ideology

– Clash is known as “Reds” vs. “Experts”

The Economy

• Largest arena for Reds vs. Experts• Basic argument is economic vs. ideological

development• To develop the economy, socialist ideas

must be sacrificed and vice versa.

The Flip Flop

• Party saw its role was to prevent “societal backsliding” as economy developed

• During periods of intense economic development, communism was less emphasized over private enterprise

• However, the Party carried out occasional propaganda campaigns to remind the people of communism’s goal

• Three main episodes which focused on the return to communist utopia

Hundred Flowers Movement• Came on the heels of collectivization

(1957)• After having consolidated power, the

CCP eliminated all private ownership of business and property.

• Approx. 110 million farm households seized

• To ease tension, Mao opened government to criticism from intellectuals

• Instead of mild suggestions, he got harsh criticism.

• So, he launched the Anti-Rightist Campaign – persecuting and arresting intellectuals

• Made people leery of questioning the government

The Great Leap Forward

• In 1958, Mao decided to use the largest energy source he had to stimulate growth – the people.

• Used propaganda to encourage hard work through moral incentives over material rewards.

• Created large communes.• Seemed to work at first as communes

competed against each other to produce the most goods.

• Several problems developed1. All products were meant to be used

locally.2. Local leaders exaggerated outputs.3. Focus on industrial production so,

when crops failed between 1960 & 1962, 30 million starved to death.

Fallout from the Great Leap• A “complete retreat from this policy”• A return to private ownership of

farms• Mao stepped back from day-to-day

operations of public policy• Material incentives, profits, and

technical expertise returned to industry

• Emphasis on training skilled managers and leaders became part of education

• Expert opinion began to drive policy creation

The Cultural Revolution• By 1965, Mao was tired of the weakening

communist utopia and being ignored in policy decisions.

• He believed a new generation of party leaders was needed.

• He encouraged young people to form Red Guards and attack party veterans.

• Red Guards attacked anyone suspected of not being loyal to Mao.

• They destroyed state offices and property

• The economy ground to a halt.• Top ministers and officials were sent to

labor camps.• Eventually, the guards began fighting

each other over who was more loyal to Mao.

Fallout – Cultural Revolution• Party had to be rebuilt.• Society saw the party as stronger

than ever – it controlled every aspect of life.

• However, it did create an identity crisis.

• Caused people to question the government and believe their leaders didn’t always make the best decisions.

• Not only that, but leaders’ decisions not necessarily in the people’s best interest.

After Mao

• Died in 1976.• CCP recognized the need to keep leaders in

check, so it restructured state institutions.• Also, the CCP realized it had been failing to

improve the people’s lives. (As witnessed by those in labor camps.)

• Within government, new clashes between Red and Experts developed.