This is the final post in a series on Communism in China. To read the first post in this series, click here. To read the previous post in the series, click here.
Mao Zedong's Plan for China
Now that the Kuomintang was out of the way, and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) had taken control of China, the CCP closely aligned itself with the Russian Soviet Union, adopting their take on ruling the new country. However, as the 1950s came to a close, Mao broke their alliance with the Soviet Union after a series of disagreements—ending China's long-standing relationship with the country that had first introduced it to communism.
With the Kuomintang no longer a threat—and the USSR gone—Mao quickly began to reform China into ‘His’ communist state.
There was no longer room for rebellion, and all rules were to be followed with strict obedience. There was to be no person too rich or too poor.
Landowners had their land taken away from them—and many people were executed because of their family ties with the Nationalists. Heavy fines were given to wealthy people suspected of overworking the peasants.
This was a time when trust was at an all-time low. Everyone accused everyone, even within a family.
In 1958, Mao launched an economic campaign known as the Great Leap Forward.
Understanding the economic crisis of China, Mao attempted to accomplish massive industrialisation in just a few years, whereas Western countries had taken decades.
This resulted in massive development in industry, encouraging women to work—which caused a substantial rise in daycare—programs of mass kitchens and agriculture industrialisation.
The Deadly Leap Forward
However, the so-called forward leap of 1958, also led to the death of an estimated 30–45 million Chinese, resulting in the largest loss of life in a single famine recorded in human history.
Millions of others died from torture, forced labour and execution, showcasing the "attempted" communism in China.
Due to a lack of coordination and planning, Mao's desire to increase steel production failed. The transition of farmers from agricultural to industrial work saw no increase in grain production, and the farms that communists controlled did not flourish.
Mao’s incorrect assumption that killing all the sparrows would save grain crops was proven wrong. Instead, it only resulted in massive locust plagues.
The torture and executions of farmers who couldn’t meet the required grain amount also didn’t help increase crop rates.
On January 1 1961, the Great Leap Forward was abolished as a series of attempted agricultural and industrial improvements failed.
Due to this extremely expensive disaster, China’s economy was left worse off. Mao blamed the rightists for this disaster, refusing to back down on his policies or ideology.
The Four Cleanups Movement
Instead of working towards cleaning up his mess, in 1963, Mao initiated a campaign known as the "Four Cleanups Movement".
This was largely a propaganda campaign attempting to identify and eliminate any so-called "incorrect" elements within the four areas of ideology, economy, politics and organisation.
It was also an attempt by Mao to gain even more power over the people.
During the Four Cleanups Movement, citizens were instructed to read and memorise sections of Mao’s speeches, quotes and writings. These collections were later organised into a book called The Little Red Book.
Citizens were ordered to carry one around with them and were often stopped on the road, making sure they were carrying the book and could recite quotations.
Mao’s writings began to dominate the minds of everyday people, as Chinese citizens began to cease thinking for themselves.
When a leader can control the minds of people, they can control entire nations. Mao effectively had the whole of China brainwashed as a result of his Four Cleanups Movement.
The Cultural Revolution, the Red Guard and the "Four Olds"
The Four Cleanups Movement was effectively the beginning of the Cultural Revolution of 1966 to 1976. Mao used his popularity and power among the Chinese youth—rallying what became known as the Red Guard.
The role of the Red Guard was to destroy any remnants of the ‘Four Olds’ as they were called: old ideas, old culture, old customs and old habits. The Four Olds were reminders and examples of Chinese culture representing the time before communism and Mao’s rule, and therefore, were unwelcome.
The reasons why Mao, the Red Guard and the People's Liberation Army were trying to terminate these four olds, were never properly explained. They just had to go.
These ideologies were illustrated as poisons to the community—and therefore, they had to be destroyed at all costs.
Mao then stated that the four olds were to be replaced by the four news: new ideas, new culture, new habits and new customs.
Classical Chinese architects, artworks, costumes, books, and paintings were demolished. Multiple cultural and religious sites including churches, temples, mosques, monasteries and cemeteries were destroyed.
Particular people were also targeted as being remnants of the four olds—including artists, academics, intellectuals and wealthier citizens.
The majority of schools and universities closed due to their sole focus being the cultural revolution—eventually reducing the amount of educated youth.
Comparable to the Great Leap Forward, the Cultural Revolution not only destroyed Chinese culture but the entire economy as well.
Mao was not only the culprit for the destruction of millions of Chinese ancient treasures, but also the death of anywhere between hundreds of thousands, to 30 million people.
Until this day, even after the death of Chairman Mao, counter-revolutionary rightists are blamed for the lack of success regarding this policy.
Sadly, Chinese citizens often don’t know any better—how can they be expected to when this is all they have been taught their whole lives?
Unfortunately, very little, if any, information about this horrendous period is taught in China and the little that does get shared excludes the reality of the horrific crimes of this leader and dictator.
Instead, Mao Zedong is depicted as the loving father of Chinese communism, a hero and a god.
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