Mao's China, 1949-76: The Cultural Revolution and its Impact

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What was the Cultural Revolution?
Essentially as large scale purge of the party- but escalated into total anarchy
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Why did Mao launch the Cultural Revolution?
Divisions within CCP (Ideologue/Pragmatist); increasing bureaucratisation; Mao securing himself in CCP; permanent revolution
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What did the Socialist Education Movement have on the decision by Mao to do the CR?
Proved to him that the party was taking a 'top-down' approach which didnt suit his ideology
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How did Mao start the CR?
Wu Han affair; CCRG; Yangtze swim; Red Guards-Mass Rallies; Little Red book/Diary of Lei Feng;
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What was the CCRG?
Body directing the CR; packe with ideologues
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Why did Mao use young people to carry out the CR?
Energetic; help ensure long term survival of communism in China; he was largely idolised by young people-allowed him to do what he wanted
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What methods were used to help Mao gain control over young people?
Little Red Book; Diary of Lei Feng; Personality Cult
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Why were young people enthusiastic about carrying out the CR?
Some was a way of proving themselves to Mao and peers; hitting back at party cadres; loved Mao (1 million at 1st mass rally)
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What were the '4 olds'?
Old habits, customs, ideas, culture
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How were RG's used to carry out the CR?
To attack the 4 olds including the party cadres at local and higher level
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What was the result of the CR on China?
Large amounts of cultural destruction (2/3 of places of importance in beijing); 1/2 million dead
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Who were targeted in the party by the CR?
Liu, Deng, Lin Biao (later on); party officals and cadres at all levels
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Why was Lin Biao purged?
Got v. popular in the party; officially plotting to assasinate Mao
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How many central committe members were purged during the early years of the CR?
2/3
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How did the purging of the party enhance Mao's control over it?
Could replace purged members with his supporters who were more ideological rather than pragmatic
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Who else were targeted during the CR?
Foreigners (embassies), religious leaders, 'capitalist roaders'
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What effect did the CR have in industrial output?
Fell by 13% in 1967
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Which factors contributed to the winding down of the CR?
PLA restoring order; Return of Deng/Zhou; Reigning in Gang of Four; Rustication (Down to villages); Mao's deteriorating health
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What was the rustication campaign?
Sending 5 million Red Guards to the countryside where they could cause less trouble
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Why did Mao launch the Cultural Revolution?

Back

Divisions within CCP (Ideologue/Pragmatist); increasing bureaucratisation; Mao securing himself in CCP; permanent revolution

Card 3

Front

What did the Socialist Education Movement have on the decision by Mao to do the CR?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

How did Mao start the CR?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

What was the CCRG?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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