Effect on Society
During the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976), Mao aimed to initiate a revolution at the very heart of traditional Chinese culture. He aimed to eliminate the creeping return of liberal and bourgeois thinking and behaviour, believing that this would re-ignite the revolutionary class struggle. Most historians believe the true aims of the Cultural Revolution were to 'relaunch' himself after the disasters of the Great Leap Forward. It mainly affected the youth of society, whom were encouraged to denounce their elders, teachers, and parents sending them for re-education. This was done with much enthusiasm by the Red Guards. Mao's 'Little Red Book' helped spur on this social change, preaching his words and ideology. People that represented 'old thoughts' were attacked. Power struggles developed at both local and national level.
Effect on Politics
During his rule of the PRC, Mao famously had many disagreements with Stalin in the USSR stretching back to the Chinese Civil War, when Stalin believed that the CCP would not be able to win against the GMD thus not giving aid to the CCP. Once the CCP won the Chinese Civil War, Mao was invited to visit Moscow in 1950 to sign the Sino-Soviet Treaty of Alliance. The treaty was only signed after months of negotiations and it still exploited the Chinese people.
The Korean war also increased tensions between China and the USSR. When US troops neared the Yalu river, China sent 1 million troops to defend North Korea from the invasion. On Mao's request, Stalin provided material aid to China but insisted China paid for all the aid sent. Even though Maao had some respect for Stalin, there was still mistrust and suspicion between the two leaders. It was even suggested that Stalin intentionally prolonged the Korean war to exhaust the PRC. After Stalin's death in 1953, there was a period of relaxation between the USSR and China dubbed as the "Honeymoon Period" by historian Michael Lynch. The Soviet leaders appeared more willing to supply China with loans and technology, as well as making their treaties more equal towards the PRC.
The period known as "the split" was characterized by a steep decline in Sino-Soviet relations after Khrushchev's rise to power. Mao believed the issues faced by the USSR were a departure from Marxist doctrine and believed the USSR was dominated by revisionists. During the Conference of Communist Parties (1957), Mao called on the USSR to abandon revisionism, stating the international revolution could not be supported by working alongside class enemies. Mao also believed the USSR was initiating détente with the West to further isolate China. In 1958, Khrushchev visited Beijing to attmpt to improve Sino-Soviet relations, however Mao intentionally made Khrushchev uncomfortable. Deng Xioping used the occasion to attack Soviet policy, stating that:
Factors of distrust between Mao and Stalin
The Korean war also increased tensions between China and the USSR. When US troops neared the Yalu river, China sent 1 million troops to defend North Korea from the invasion. On Mao's request, Stalin provided material aid to China but insisted China paid for all the aid sent. Even though Maao had some respect for Stalin, there was still mistrust and suspicion between the two leaders. It was even suggested that Stalin intentionally prolonged the Korean war to exhaust the PRC. After Stalin's death in 1953, there was a period of relaxation between the USSR and China dubbed as the "Honeymoon Period" by historian Michael Lynch. The Soviet leaders appeared more willing to supply China with loans and technology, as well as making their treaties more equal towards the PRC.
The period known as "the split" was characterized by a steep decline in Sino-Soviet relations after Khrushchev's rise to power. Mao believed the issues faced by the USSR were a departure from Marxist doctrine and believed the USSR was dominated by revisionists. During the Conference of Communist Parties (1957), Mao called on the USSR to abandon revisionism, stating the international revolution could not be supported by working alongside class enemies. Mao also believed the USSR was initiating détente with the West to further isolate China. In 1958, Khrushchev visited Beijing to attmpt to improve Sino-Soviet relations, however Mao intentionally made Khrushchev uncomfortable. Deng Xioping used the occasion to attack Soviet policy, stating that:
- The Soviets betrayed the international Communist movement
- The Soviets were guilty of viewing themselves as the only true Marxist-Leninists
- The Soviets had sent spies posing as technical advisers into China
Factors of distrust between Mao and Stalin
- Stalin feared Mao would be a rival for the leadership of the Communist world
- Stalin did not want the Cold War to spread to Asia
- Stalin knew the GMD would recognize Soviet claims to the disputed border
- Stalin underestimated the CCP, believing the GMD to be the stronger party
- Stalin believed true Socialist revolution was only achievable through an urban-based workers revolution
- Mao believed Socialist revolution could be achieved with peasants in the countryside
- Mao saw Stalin's policies as rooted in self-interest rather than revolutionary doctrine
Effect on the Economy
Throughout his rule, Mao insisted on using a system based on the economic system of the USSR. It comprised of five year plans with goals that were to be met. This was soon found to be inefficient, as even though the first Five Year Plan led to an increase in agricultural production, Mao was dissatisfied with the progress. This led to the Great Leap Forward (1958-1960), which attempted to rapidly industrialize China and turn it into a Socialist paradise. This initially succeeded, leading to increases in industrial production. However, the increased strain on machinery and workers, withdrawal of Soviet aid and agricultural failure led to the Great Leap Forward to fail. This also led to severe effects on the Chinese economy in the days to come.
Effect on the Ideology
After the Chinese Civil War (1927-1950), Mao became the leader of China. He quickly developed his own interpretation of Marx's writings, known as Maoism. This guided the policy of the Chinese government until the 1970s, when Deng Xiaoping's reforms changed the method of government to become more open. Maoism was paramount to China's domestic and foreign policies throughout Mao's reign. It also helped create a cult of personality that Mao would later use in the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976), when he returned to power through his cult of personality instilled in the masses. Maoism differed from other interpretations of Marx, as it proclaimed it was peasants, not workers, that were vital to achieve a Socialist revolution.
Effect on the Military
During the Korean War, Mao Zedong sent 1 million volunteers into North Korea to fight against the invading US army. He lost a son during the war. In 1950 China launched the absorption of Tibet, leading to a strained relationship with India. In 1962 the Sino-Indian War broke out, increasing tensions between the USSR and China. This led to India allowing U-2s to fly from bases at Charbatia, where they were able to photograph China's first A-bomb test. The USSR also gave India MIG fighters. Even though the PRC was able to emerge victorious the US was able to gain sensitive intelligence and possible access to bases in India. The Soviets also aided the enemy in the war and the PRC's relationship as a key member of the Non-Aligned Movement ended.