China under the ruling of Mao Zedong 1949-1976 History Research Paper

China under Mao Zedong (1949-1976)
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China under Mao Zedong (1949-1976)
China underwent a myriad of changes during the 20th century. Since the establishment of the first republic, Zedong contributed to Chinese society in diverse ways. Notably, most scholars argue that Mao Zedong introduced crucial land reforms in the country and greatly helped raise the economy of the nation. However, despite his role in historiography of the 20th century, historians vary on the interpretation of China’s strong man. Some regard him as the worst dictator of the 20th century. These historians cite a plethora of deaths that marred the country during this period. After an overview on Mao’s political career, I explore diverse views on Mao’s contribution to the Chinese history and the economy at large. These discussions will include assessment of the policies introduced during Mao’s reign including agricultural reforms and the Great leap forward. I argue that Mao is a hero in the Communist Party, but a villain among some citizens.
Lu (2017) depicts China Communist Party’s (CPP) description of Zedong as the "red sun" of China. This depiction portrays a positive attitude towards Zedong during the Communist reign. In her book, Lu traces the origin of Zedong to his birthplace in Shaoshan, Hunan, in 1893. Lu denotes that Zedong was born in a stable peasant family. The family ventured in both small business and farming activities as the primary source of income. Notably, Zedong’s father strived to educate him to help the family with bookkeeping responsibilities later. The book elaborates that it is this aspect of education that exposed Zedong to the crucial political perceptions that he would later use to transform China. However, Lu’s book, The Rhetoric of Mao Zedong mostly addresses Mao Zedong in the Communist’s Party perceptions. In most instances, Lu differs with CCP’s positions regarding the perceived Mao’s achievements.
Lu exposes the CCP’s views that Zedong had sufficient understanding of the Marxist ideology, a vital aspect for the acceptance of Communist ideology in China. He argues that the introduction of socialist ideology in the Chinese society was a significant achievement considering the increased opposition to Confucianism philosophies towards the end of the 19th century. Zedong sufficiently conceptualized Marx's ideology of class struggle, an aspect that changed the history of China. However, the Infographics Show (2019) disagrees with this viewpoint. Infographic Show is a popular documentary live stream on Chinese history which features professionals from different disciplines such as archeology. The show demonstrates that Zedong did not achieve a maximum understanding of Marxist ideology. Karl (2010) elaborates that Zedong admired Marxist policies but lacked a full understanding of Marxist views. Karl cites Zedong’s inability to read the German language as a barrier to Zedong's complete knowledge of Marxist ideologies (Karl, 2010 pp. 5-6). Either way, both the Infographics Show and Karl recognize that Marx had a sufficient understanding of the dangers of the class system in society. The sources indicate that Zedong acquired such knowledge from Marxists' translated materials into the Chinese language.
Karl says that the Soviet dictator Stalin mostly influenced Zedong’s understanding of communism. Therefore, he could not portray a sufficient knowledge of the Marxist theory. However, Karl disagrees with Lu’s views that Zedong accurately implemented Communist ideology in China. The Infographic Show (2019) denotes that Zedong’s communist ideology was marred with Stalin’s brutal beliefs and less of Marxist tenets of a classless society. The sources also demonstrates Zedong’s brutal motives that undermined progress in China. Lu, however, downplays Zedong’s cruel motives. According to him, Zedong’s embrace of communism in China was a significant element in salvaging a society that struggled under the Confucian system.
Lu (2017) investigates the CCP’s rhetoric that Zedong’s role in the “Long March” heroic. According to the CCP, communist movement could have collapsed against Chiang Kai Shek’s nationalist forces had it not been for Zedong’s excellent strategic abilities. The book denotes that the Nationalist had struggled to unite China during the short spell of the First Republic. Despite failing to unite the nation, the Nationalist were unable to initiate any necessary social and economic reforms in the struggling Asian territory. Consequently, Zedong led the Long March, which later enabled the Communist revolutionaries to unite China. Lu (2017) acknowledges CCP’s beliefs that China would have dwindled socially and economically for an extended period without Zedong's impeccable revolutionary strategy that united the nation. Although the scholar does not share such views, he depicts the accurate Mao’s rhetoric within the Party. The CCP maintains that the Nationalists had struggled against the warlords for over 20years, but Zedong culminated such resistance in a short period.
Lu’s text The Rhetoric of Mao Zedong further acknowledges Zedong’s role in successfully resisting imperialistic motives in China. The text denotes that he led Communist forces and provided significant support to the Allied troops in defeating Japan. However, after 1949, Zedong also resisted any renewed form of European imperialism in China. Despite being a close ally to the Soviet Union, he opposed many of Stalin’s territorial expansion into China. Karl agrees with Lu's depiction of Zedong's perception of imperialism. Karl acknowledges that Zedong even offered Korea military support to help undermine foreign influence in the Asian region. He was also opposed to any form of Japanese claims in any part of China. The scholars agree on this element of Zedong’s reign in China.
Wang Xizhe (2015) shares the CCP’s celebrations of the perceived Zedong's role in the Chinese Cultural Revolution in this book. The scholar denotes Party’s view that women enjoyed expanded freedom during Zedong’s reign in comparison to early Chinese society. Nonetheless, Wang also recognizes the various female enfranchisement policies introduced in China after the 1949 Communist Revolution. The book indicates that campaigns for gender equality had intensified in China for an elongated period. However, despite the establishment of the First Republic, women encountered persistent dogma. According to Wang Xizhe, Zedong was the first Chinese to acknowledge that women deserved higher recognition in all sectors of the society. Karl also opines that Zedong fulfilled the promise he made to feminists before the revolution by supporting increased liberty for Chinese women after 1949. The scholars denote that feminists acquired most of the freedoms they admired under Zedong's rule.
The Infographic Show (2019) elaborates that as a...