Mao's Consolidation Of Power Flashcards
What was the common program for China and how did it help Mao consolidate power?
1949
It guaranteed basic freedoms for everyone accept from political reactionaries
Equal rights for women were guaranteed and universal education was introduced
It was for cantered on the development of heavy industry
Consolidated power because
- anyone who didn’t agree with Mao could be considered a “political reactionary” and denied rights. This would consolidate power as it would suppress potential opposition
- universal education and women’s rights were popular. Popularity would mean less opposition and more support for campaigns
What was the sino Soviet treaty and how did it help Mao consolidate power?
1950
$300 million with interest loan
10,000 Soviet advisors were sent but they had to be paid for
China had to give gold reserves
This helped consolidate power as it showed Mao to be respected by Stalin compared to previous sino Soviet relations. It also showed Mao to be gaining means to make the country better which would have had support
What were the two cultures Mao used to consolidate power?
Culture of war
Culture of peace
What 3 provinces in China did Mao try to control when consolidating power?
Tibet
Xinjiang
Guangdong
What happened in Tibet?
How did Mao try to control it ?
Tibetans historically regarded themselves as culturally different
The army invaded to “culturally liberate” them
They made them sign a 17 point agreement
Traditional practices were banned and the Tibetan language was banned
They really wanted to eradicate the rival belief system of Buddhism
What happened in Xinjiang?
It bordered with the Soviet Union
It had an 80% Uyghur population who were mainly Muslim
They resisted and were not fully integrated in Chinese empire.
Mao feared Russian influence and religions
Solution
PLA were sent in
National leaders were invited to the Political Consultative Conference 1949- the plane crashed!
Han Chinese were sent in to diversify the population
This consolidated Mao’s power as it controlled Xinjiang by scaring them and enforcing culture
What happened in Guangdong?
This province was traditionally pro nationalist
Solution
28,000 people were executed in the suppressing counter revolutionaries campaign
What is Danwei? How did it consolidate power ?
Introduced 1945
Every employed worker was assigned to a danwei (work unit)
It wood supply food cards, housing and clothing
It consolidated power as people became fully dependent on Mao for food. Denial of these would enforce conformity
What is a dangan?
Files on everyone that indicate loyalty
Good = loyal poor Middle = petty bourgeoisie Bad = landlords , capitalist parents
How did Mao non violently consolidate power?
Mass participation Women got equality Land reform Danwei , Dangan Common program for China
What was land reform ?
Party cadres would encourage peasants to ride up and subject landlords to “struggle meetings”
They would be beaten until they got a confession which would be given to cadres who would distribute the land fairly.
However 1 million landlords died so it was violent and it did not last as collectivisation and large scale communes were introduced.
At the time, it did help Mao consolidate power as it made peasants happy
What was the suppressing counter revolutionaries campaign?
March 1950!
It’s open aim was preventing nationalist sympathisers from undermining the regime
Really, anyone who had potential to cause harm was at risk
People were denounced
P
What happened with self registration?
Ministry of security asked people who previously held positions in the nationalist regime were asked to sign a register and were encouraged to write autobiographies listing their associates.
They were told this would help them start life anew
They were arrested and some disappeared never to be seen again
This consolidated power as it added to the fear factor of Mao and his regime
How did Mao use mass participation to consolidate power ?
Citizens were encouraged to denounce counter revolutionaries and hold accusation meetings where crowds would demand death of counter revolutionaries. Mao would grant them their wish. In reality, it was what he wanted!
1951- ministry of public security produced a manual Called “how to hold an accusation meeting”
- proof Mao encouraged it
It consolidated Mao’s power as the people thought that Mao was responding to their will
What was the three antis campaign?
1951
Against
Corruption
Waste
Obstructionist bureaucracy
Campaign to remove people from the civil service. It we reliant on public support. It imprisoned and killed those who had taken power for their own benefit
In reality, CCP just wanted to replace civil service with loyal party cadres.
This consolidated power as people with power were now more loyal to Mao
