Chairman Mao and the Cultural Revolution: Unveiling the Transformation of China
Try to write according to the topic in the check in, you can use the information in the resource list and the paper explanation.
Emphasize Try to fit my argument and the information I have provided, although mine may not be very good, I have submitted my outline to the teacher before, so it is heading towards not being able to change it very much. The professor is more concerned about the use of footnotes and Chicago style. Thanks so much!
There are 3 parts to this assignment. Please read Carefully.
Part 1: Paper Proposal – you will propose a preliminary argument and the materials you will use for the paper.
Part 2: Check-In – you will submit an updated argument (if necessary) and a short summary of the new materials you will use.
Part 3: Final Paper Submission – you will submit your final paper.
For the final paper, you will write an argument driven essay about one of the topics we have covered in this course.
This essay differs from your previous papers in that you set the time period you will discuss. You can choose any period we have covered in class (1850~ to 1990~) and you will specify the time range.
You have already written 2 papers about how something has changed throughout the twentieth century in China, and you’ve made some preliminary arguments about the significance of certain changes in those papers. For this paper, I encourage you to use parts of previous papers in your final paper. For example, you may make an argument about change and significance by combining parts of both papers.
In addition to the primary and secondary sources we have covered in class, you must also use at least 2 additional sources we have not read as a class: one additional primary and one additional secondary source. Some resources are provided in the “Additional Resources” tab. You may make locate others on your own, HOWEVER additional sources must be approved at the Paper Proposal stage and you cannot rely solely on these outside sources. So, please continue to engage with the resources from class.
CHAIRMAN MAO AND THE CULTURAL REVOLUTION: UNVEILING THE TRANSFORMATION OF CHINA
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Chairman Mao and the Cultural Revolution: Unveiling the Transformation of China
China encountered substantial socio-political instability throughout the reign of Mao Zedong. The Cultural Revolution, led by Mao Zedong from 1949 to 1976, transformed Chinese politics and society with his communist philosophy. Under Mao's leadership, China saw significant social, economic, and ideological changes. In 1966, the working-class government achieved the Cultural Revolution's goals of opposing bourgeois ideology and reviving the ordinary people's morale. Collectivism, purity, and Maoism dominated Chinese life during this time. The Cultural Revolution, led by Chairman Mao Zedong, was pivotal in Chinese history. This essay will explore the impact of Chairman Mao's leadership during this period and argue that he significantly changed China's socio-political landscape. Chairman Mao transformed China into a state driven by radical ideology and collective consciousness by implementing revolutionary policies and mobilizing the masses.[Rongqian Ma, “Curating China’s Cultural Revolution (1966–1976): CR/10 as a Warburgian Memory Atlas and Digital Humanities Interface,” Information & Culture 57, no. 1 (2022): 3.]
Mao's Ideological Foundation
Mao sought to stir change in China and urged all to join the revolution, stating that people were influential. His book "Selected Works of Mao Tsetung" significantly impacted China. His writings stressed that societal growth happened through class struggle. He advocated for a working-class revolution and reign to depose the capitalists. Mao, in contrast to Marxism, regarded peasants and laborers as revolutionaries. His works stressed the lasting character of revolution and the need for armed resistance against foreign and domestic enemies. Mao's ideas shaped China's economy, education, culture, and politics. He promoted class struggle philosophy in education, literature, and art, creating a Maoist environment. Great Leap Forward and other Maoist economic programs sought to industrialize China quickly. Unfortunately, their activities caused widespread starvation and economic