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Background paragraph on Mao
Background paragraph on Mao
In 1949 the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) came to power, 
under the leadership of Mao Zedong.
He formed the People’s Republic of China, 
after decades of fighting a civil war against the Kuomintang (KMT). 

Mao inherited many problems including 
an economy that needed to be industrialised and 
a poor, illiterate population. 

Mao attempted to transform China, 
by introducing his first five-year plan in 1953, 
which successfully boosted the heavy industry. 

However, despite the economy growing and 
agricultural production increasing, 
Mao was unhappy with the speed of growth so 
in 1958 he launched his Second Five Year Plan 
under his ironic slogan “the Great Leap Forward.’
How did Mao oust any opposition to his power?
How did Mao oust any opposition to his power?
Mao used horrendous tactics and violent strategies to oust any opposition to his power.

Mao ordered the Red Guard to eradicate all counter-revolutionaries, known as “revisionists”. 
The Red Guard’ viciously persecuted party officials, teachers, intellectuals and even innocent people. 
The RG used barbaric acts on enemies of the state by torturing, murdering or sending them to labour camps. 
Mao even mercilessly purged Liu Sha-o-qi and Deng Xia-o-ping.

The chaos rapidly spread when Mao enticed workers to join the battle. 
It spiralled out of control and resulted in 3 years of killings and massacres of anyone who appeared to be opposed to communism. 
The violence and destruction weakened the nation as the economy stalled.

Mao’s “Reign of terror" to remove those who opposed him, led to grave disorder and thousands of deaths. This is why Mao’s policies are considered a catastrophic failure.
Comment on the long term devastating effects of Mao's Cultural Revolution on China.
Comment on the long term devastating effects of Mao's Cultural Revolution on China.
Conclusion
The Cultural Revolution crippled the economy, ruined millions of lives and thrust China into 10 years of turmoil, bloodshed, hunger and stagnation.
After violence had run its bloody course, the country’s rulers conceded it had been a catastrophe that had brought nothing but “grave disorder, damage and retrogression”
The devastating revolution continued to affect the Chinese people for the next 50 years.