4.1 - Mao's motives for cultural revolution Flashcards
How did china change after the Great Leap Forward?
Mao wasn’t really seen in public after 1962. His withdrawal allowed him to avoid the blame of the GLP. Absence from politics was not retirement. He allowed Liu Shaoqi and Deng Xiaoping to take over but with more disapproval.
In 1965 he was ready to return to active politics to save revolution being destroyed by revolutionist. He began preparations.
for a new revolution in China in a new radical direction. Mao’s decision to launch the cultural revolution driven by motives to ensure that revolution was continuous and no capitalist behaviour.
What were Mao’s key motives in the cultural revolution?
Desire for permanent revolution - Mao was determined revolution should not fail and behaviours did not undo the changes introduced by CCP since 1949 he was convinced he was not going to allow what happened under Khrushchev in China.
To provide a test for young people - Mao believed that the strength of the CCP came in its years of struggle because of the Long March and the Japanese and Civil war. Young communist no experience of struggle and was necessary for them to be involved in struggle to identify with revolution allowing them to become them revolutionist.
To remove the self satisfied officals motivated by privileges of power - Mao believed that communist China was run by bureaucrats who were not interested in revolution but motivated by the power that they had achieved and the social and economic benefits accompanying that power Mao feared that they would grow into a new class of Mandarins
To prevent revolution being weakened by revolutionists - Mao opposed the measures adopted by China after failure of GLF. Deeply suspicious that Liu and Deng encouraged private and ownership because of capitalist sympathisers. Mao believed revisionist were in all areas education and culture.
To remove opponents in the CCP who did not support Mao’s policies - Mao feared that he had opponents were seeking to remove him Cultural revolution offered idea oppotunity for this position
