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Assess the extent of political, economic and social change since the death of Mao Zedong.

Assess the extent of political, economic and social change since the death of Mao Zedong. The Last Years of Mao 1969-1976. During this presentation we will cover; What were the three major power groupings in China during this period? Why was there a constant struggle for power at this time?

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Assess the extent of political, economic and social change since the death of Mao Zedong.

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  1. Assess the extent of political, economic and social change since the death of Mao Zedong.

  2. The Last Years of Mao1969-1976 During this presentation we will cover; • What were the three major power groupings in China during this period? • Why was there a constant struggle for power at this time? • Why did Lin Biao fall from power? • Why did Deng rise and fall in power during this period? • Why was Hua Guafeng appointed successor to Mao?

  3. Who were the three major power groupings in China during this period? • Mao very unwell – reliance on drugs • Factionalism • Lin Biao and the PLA • Jiang Qing and the Shanghai radicals (The Gang of Four) • Zhou Enlai and the bureaucracy

  4. Lin Biao and the PLA • Exerted enormous influence • Mao – “The whole country should learn from the PLA” • Role models and defenders of the nation • 9th Party Congress (1969) – Lin the heir apparent

  5. Jiang Qing and the Gang of Four • With Mao and Kang Sheng the driving force behind the Cultural Revolution – the Cultural Revolution Group • Zhang Chunqiao, Yao Wenyuan and Wang Hongwen – 1969 - on the Politburo • Power from Red Guards • 1970 – given control over propaganda • Power struggle with Lin Biao

  6. Zhou Enlai and the Bureaucracy • State Premier • The great survivor and pragmatist • Opposite to Jiang Qing • Very popular with the people

  7. Why did Lin Biao fall from power? • Mao grows concerned – “The PLA should learn from the whole country.” • By 1970 Mao saw Lin as the “Chinese Bonaparte” • March 1970 – Mao and Lin argue over abolition post of State Chairman • Chen Boda joined with Lin – attacked Zhang – factionalism • 1970-71 Mao “throwing stones, mixing in sand and digging up the cornerstone.”

  8. Why did Lin Biao fall from power? • Lin and his son begin to plan a coup • To assassinate Mao and Zhang and seize power • Sept 1971 – crisis point • Lin’s plane crashes in Mongolia • Lin is “a renegade and a traitor” • “Criticise Lin and Confucius”

  9. Impact of the fall of Lin Biao • PLA purged – although still important • Mao bed-ridden for 2 months • Mao’s reputation suffered • Mao no longer seen as infallible • No obvious successor to Mao - factional rivalry • 1972 – 73 brief return to more pragmatic policies under Zhou – not ultra-leftism

  10. Why was there a power struggle in the leadership 1973-6? • By August 1973 Mao has swung left again • Lin was a revisionist who “adopted a Left appearance to disguise his Right essence.” • Left now dominate Politburo and media • Wang Hongwen an ally of the Gang of 4 • Deng Xiaoping brought back by Zhou to add balance and experience – but ...

  11. Why was there a power struggle in the leadership 1973-6? • 1973 – Jiang Qing launches the anti-Confucius campaign. • Really anti-Zhou (and Deng) • Said his policies on education, economy and foreign powers were against legacy of Cultural Revolution • Zhang Tieshen • “Learn from Dazhai” • By 1975 clear to Mao that this is a factional battle. Supports Zhou. Wang discredited as future successor.

  12. The Rise and Fall of Deng • 1975 – Mao very ill, Zhou dying of cancer, Jiang and Gang of 4 irritating. • Deng rises quickly – by 1975 has political control of the PLA, bureaucracy and on Politburo • Adopts pragmatic policies in industry, economy and army • Oct-Nov 1975 Gang of 4 attack Deng for pragmatism and abandoning class struggle and Cultural Revolution • Mao withdraws his support for Deng

  13. The Rise and Fall of Deng • Jan 1976 – Zhou dies • 1 million people line the route of funeral procession • Gang of 4 suppress reports and issue article saying Zhou was a “capitalist roader” • Protest across China • 2 million attend Festival of The Dead in Tiananmen Square to honour Zhou at Heroes Monument • Becomes a protest against Jiang and Mao • Police break it up violently • Deng blamed for this “counter revolutionary incident”. He goes into hiding

  14. Why was Hua Guofeng appointed as successor to Mao? • Born 1921 • Was on Long March and fought Japanese • Neutral during the power struggle • Replaced Zhou as Premier of China on his death

  15. Mao dies • 21 Sept 1976 Mao dies • Hua becomes Head of State, Party and PLA • Hua uses the PLA to help him arrest the Gang of 4 (They had been plotting against him)

  16. Homework • Read Stewart chapter 12 and take notes on this topic • Draw up a balance sheet of Mao’s rule, showing the positive achievements alongside the failures and costs of his policies – for further discussion on Thursday

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