Abstract This paper contains in-depth research into the history of China's communist leader MaoTse-tung, speculated to be the most powerful person who has ever lived. This paper delves into Mao's political and military career and examines his writings and thoughts that dominated the functioning of the People's Republic from 1949-76. Mao authored some 2,300 publications and 740 million copies of his "Quotations" have been printed. Adapting communism to Chinese conditions Mao stressed the need for rural rather than urban-based revolutions in Asia, for reducing rural-urban differences, and for perpetual revolution to prevent the emergence of new elites.
Topics covered in this report include:
Introduction
The Young Mao The Rise of the CCP - MaoTseTung - The Cataclysmic Years
The Civil War: The Revolutionary Mao The KMT and the Long March
Achievements of the Kuomintang (KMT)
Conclusion
Endnotes
Bibliography
From the Paper "One major area of dispute between Mao and the Returned Student leadership was military strategy. By early 1930s Mao had developed very strong opinions in this area. Despite the fact that he was without professional military training, he had always taken the strongest interest in war and strategy. The issues that divided him and the Central committee were not narrowly technical, but had important political implications."
Tags: communism, political, history, china, asia, military
Abstract This paper compares Madame Chiang Kai-sek's view of socio-economic evolution as expressed in her description of the "New Life Movement" with MaoTse-Tung's view of socio-economic evolution. The paper explains why the two views are entirely at odds.
From the Paper "The descriptions of the communist revolution and the "New Life Movement" by Mao Tse-Tung and Madame Chiang Kai-shek respectively demonstrate two very different and opposing views of socio-economic evolution. Tse-Tung's view looks to the peasant class for a revolution from below while Mme Chiang's "New Life Movement" seeks to impose authority on the peasant class for a revolution from above. In his report Mao Tse-Tung describes a revolution as an uprising, an act of violence whereby one class overthrows another. He is specifically..."
Abstract This essay focuses on the causes and effects of the Chinese revolution. The writer discusses the way in which MaoTse-tung and the communists came to power in the region and explains how China was affected by this communist revolution. The paper also gives some other examples of this type of revolution in South East Asia.
From the Paper "The fall of the Manchu dynasty in China led to a civil war of epic proportions. The chief protagonists were the Guomindang (Nationalist Party) and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). In 1936 a cease-fire was called to deal with the Japanese invasion, however civil war returned in 1946. Despite support from the US and USSR and an army four times the size of that of the CCP, Beijing fell in January 1949 and the nationalist government fled to Taiwan."
Abstract This paper begins with a synopsis of the first millennium of Chinese history and the rise of MaoTseTung to power. It traces the childhood and early history of this communist leader and explains his take on Marxist and Communist ideology. The paper then turns to discuss the first phase of Chinese political and economic development (1952 to 1957) and Mao's economic policy. The era of the "Great Leap Forward" is explored and the 1959-60 famine is brought up as Mao's first failure. The paper looks at the involvement of Deng in China's leadership before and after the death of MaoTseTung and at Mao's status as a visible icon throughout China. His aims and involvement in the Cultural Revolution of 1966 are studied and the differences between Mao's and his successor, Deng's leadership are raised. The paper concludes by evaluating and comparing the relative successes of these two leaders.
From the Paper "Though both were dedicated to the communist ideology, as each had their time at the helm as Emperors in their own right. Mao Tse Tung was the high priest of Chinese communism, charismatic, energetic, calculating, and a true personal power. Mao led ideologically with great slogans and focused on what should be rather than what was, he actively shunned the West, and maintained an archaic absolutism based upon a cult of personality that resulted in the failures of the Great Leap Forward, the Famine of 1959-1960, and eventually to the Cultural Revolution. It is the purpose of this paper to examine the impact of Mao Tse Tung's ideology upon the form and function of China."
Abstract This paper discusses how, on his death, Lu Hsun was celebrated by MaoTse-tung and others of the Communist Party as a spiritual father of the revolution, as its literary voice. The writer questions if this was simply the party taking advantage of the now silent writer's reputation, or whether he was truly the revolutionary that Mao claimed him to be.
From the Paper "Even though Lu Hsun was a devoted Marxist, and is credited with bringing many devotees into the fold of communism, he himself balked at joining the party, and never did, which was perceived as no small matter in determining enemies of the state during the cultural revolution that was to shortly follow. On studying Lu Hsun's life and his thoughtful approach to it, one realizes that it is doubtful that this was merely an oversight, but rather represented a hesitancy on his part to fully embrace the revolution that was unfolding. It may have been that he was not convinced that the revolution that had yet to mature in China was the real revolution. Throughout his work, he shows a tendency to rate the quality of revolutions, as he believed not all were equal. ?But only great revolutions can change literature, not small ones, for these do not count as revolutions.? (Hsun/Yang p327)"
This paper analyzes the military policy and philosophy of the Chinese communist leader MaoTse-tung: Major influences, politics, strategy and tactics, writings, successes, ideology, Marxism-Leninism, discipline and principles.
4,500 words (approx. 18 pages), 10 sources, 1994, $ 135.95
From the Paper "Mao Tse-tung was one of the most important military as well as political figures of the twentieth century. His doctrine of protracted guerilla revolutionary war had a major influence on the history of the second half of the twentieth century, and his military doctrines were successfully employed by the North Vietnamese to stymie the United States during the Vietnam war. Yet--in contrast to most famous generals--his military career is not one of dramatic victories won in the field. Indeed, his most famous single military exploit is a retreat, the Long March.
In order to understand the nature and significance of Mao's military thought, we must understand both the political context of that thought and the military context in which Mao operated. In spite of the famous dictum of Clausewitz that war is an ... "
Abstract This paper examines the book, "The Execution of Mayor Yin and Other Stories from the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution", by Chen Jo-hsi, a collection of short stories that show what life was like in China during the Cultural Revolution, which was created and sponsored by Chairman MaoTse-tung. Specifically, it analyzes the author's ideas in the book and looks at how she writes of her experiences under Chinese rule and hopes to share those experiences with her readers so they understand what the Chinese people have endured under Communism.
From the Paper "From the first story, it is clear the author does not agree with the Communist rule in China, and this is one of the main ideas she carries through the book. She calls the young Red Guard "arrogant" and this is her position all through the book. The Communists and the people that support them, especially the youthful Red Guards, are arrogant and self-righteous, and they believe in the Communist Party at the expense of everything else, even their own family. People are afraid of the Guard, and they do not trust them, which the author shows is very wise by the execution of Mayor Yin, and many other happenings in the book. These people are not to be trusted. While the Red Guard were supposed to follow the teachings of Chairman Mao, and further the Cultural Revolution, they often furthered their own goals rather than the goals of the party."
Abstract This paper discusses how on the 1st October 1949, MaoTse-tung proclaimed the establishment of the "People's Republic of China". The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) acknowledged its takeover of China as a "people's victory" over the Kuomintang (KMT) - Nationalist Party - and the country's liberation from imperial control. It looks at how the failure of the Chinese Republic after 1916 to replace Manchu autocracy with an effective central government, created confusion and disorder, and it allowed local powerful individuals to take control. It also shows how the revolution of 1949, was the inevitable outcome of essential reforms, which had been postponed since 1911.
From the Paper "Ironically, the CCP came far closer to fulfilling the 3 Principles of the People than had the Nationalists. They had united a large part of the nation in resistance to the Japanese. In their "liberated areas", had created political structures which, though rudimentary for western standards, provided for the first time effective administration in the countryside. Moreover, the local population had been encouraged through their peasant associations and cooperatives to participate in the organisation of their own affairs. After 1945, the Kuomintang's great political weakness was that they had had ten years of government in which to prove the validity of their claims, however, that decade had been distinguished by administrative inefficiency and self seeking. "
Abstract The paper weighs the issues of violence vs. non-violence and shows the lives and histories of MaoTse Dung of China and Gandhi of India as examples. The paper discusses these two leaders who dealt extensively in their lifetimes with the struggle between violence and non-violence. It shows that on the surface, Chairman Mao espoused violence and used it as a tool to defeat an army of four million, gain power over a country with a trillion dollar economy and hold power for 25 years, and that Gandhi rose to "power" while leading a peaceful revolution among the 600 million Indian citizens -- Hindus and Muslims alike -- that resulted in tens of thousands of Indian deaths, very few British deaths, but eventually in Indian independence and creation of the largest democracy in the world.
From the Paper "But indeed, Gandhi knew there was a place for violence as well. In a much forgotten move, Gandhi essentially postponed India's peaceful revolution at the onset of World War II. He recognized Nazi Germany as a much more malevolent force than the British Empire, in all their imperial misery, could ever be. As a result, he led the movement for Indians not only to stop resisting the British during World War II, but to actually comply with their orders. In fact, India entered the war itself and was particularly helpful to Britain in the North African campaigns."
Tags: Communist, party, Chiang-Kai-Shek, British, Empire, Martin, Luther, King, Jr
Abstract This paper examines how the analysis of the social foundations of political support is of interest not only to democratic politicians but also to revolutionary leaders. It looks at how although movements such as MaoTsetung's Chinese Communist Party cannot be considered democratic in the western sense, the Chinese Communists at least prior to 1949 depended upon mobilizing a mass base of support among the population for the movement's continuing survival.
From the Paper "The analysis of the social foundations of political support is of interest not only to democratic politicians but also to revolutionary leaders. Although movements such as Mao Tse-tung's Chinese Communist Party cannot be considered democratic in the western sense, the Chinese Communists - at least prior to 1949 - depended upon mobilizing a mass base of support among the population for the movement's continuing survival. "
Abstract In this article, the writer looks at views of class struggle in Gramsci and Mao. The writer discusses Mao's views of contradiction and looks at how Mao defines identity.
From the Paper "Mao Tse-Tung outlines his view of the opposing interests and states of the proletariat and bourgeoisie. According to Mao all opposites are simultaneously different and interconnected. In each contradiction however, there is an echo of what is being contradiction. There can be no high without a low, no richness without poorness. And thus even things that are opposite are identical. Because each is the condition for the other's existence. This is the first meaning of identity ... "
Abstract Critical analysis of Chang and Halliday's book, "Mao: The Unknown Story", emphasizing the Great Leap Forward. Gives the views of three other authors to determine and evaluate Mao's role in the Great Leap.
From the Paper "No one can deny that Mao Zedong was of enormous significance in shaping the history of China in the modern era or that he was equally significant an actor on the international ..."
Abstract This paper compares Mao's analysis of the social foundations of communist support at two points in time: 1926, during the period of cooperation with the nationalists and at the end of 1928 when the Chinese Communist Party was struggling at the countryside. The paper looks at the changes in Mao's class analysis over the two years. His analysis is also compared to two other authors.
From the Paper "At the time of its formation in 1921, the Chinese Communist party was allayed with the Chinese Nationalist Party (Kuomintang) in the fight to create new, stable and once again strong China. However, things have changed abruptly when the Kuomintang broke the alliance. It is worthy examining the change Mao Tse-tung's analysis of the class support to the revolution in the period before and after the break up with Kuomintang in 1927. "
Abstract In this article, the writer discusses Mao's and Simmel's views on identity. The writer contends that they both agree that identity is shaped by contradiction.
From the Paper "Both Georg Simmel and Mao Tse Tung believed that the root of identity lay in contradiction. Simmel's stranger's identity is born from the contradiction that he represents being simultaneously within and without society. Although he is not part of the society, his very identity depends on that fact and he views the established group with freshened eyes. Mao for his part also believed that identity was rooted in contradiction. For Mao this contradiction, given the proper conditions, could juxtapose itself just as the proletariat given the right circumstances ... "
Abstract This paper compares Mao's analysis of the social foundations of Communist support at two points in time, 1926 and 1928, it becomes clear that one perspective is based on historic research-based information and the second is based on greater experience with the classes. It explores propaganda in comparison to historic studies of the classes during that period.
From the Paper "In comparing Mao's analysis of the social foundations of Communist support at two points in time, 1926 and 1928, it becomes clear that one perspective is based on historic research-based information and the second is based on greater experience with the classes. In the article outlining Mao's class analysis in 1926, there is a distinct indication that the information is based on demographic research rather than direct experience during an actual revolution."
