To what extent did Mao Zedong’s influence in China weaken in the years 1962 to 1965?
Level
A Level
Year Examined
2021
Topic
World History
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To what extent did Mao Zedong’s influence in China weaken in the years 1962 to 1965?
To what extent did Mao Zedong’s influence in China weaken in the years 1962 to 1965?
Following the disastrous consequences of the Great Leap Forward, a period of relative liberalization occurred in China under the leadership of Liu Shaoqi and Deng Xiaoping. This period, from 1962 to 1965, saw a shift in focus towards economic recovery and pragmatic policies, leading some historians to argue that Mao Zedong's influence had significantly weakened. However, while Mao's involvement in daily governance diminished, his ideological grip and strategic positioning within the CCP remained strong, ultimately allowing him to regain control during the Cultural Revolution.
Arguments for Weakening Influence:
One argument supporting the weakening of Mao’s influence is his retreat from day-to-day governance. Stepping back from the 'first line' of politics and relocating to Shanghai in 1965 suggested a diminished role compared to his dominant presence in the 1950s. This withdrawal coincided with a shift in economic policy away from his ideological principles. The dismantling of the commune system, a cornerstone of Maoist economics, and the adoption of Liu and Deng's pragmatic, centralized planning indicated a rejection of his vision for economic development through mass mobilization. Mao's criticism of these reforms as a 'capitalist road' further highlights his awareness of his declining influence within the CCP.
Furthermore, Mao's absence from key decisions, such as Liu Shaoqi's rehabilitation of intellectuals, underscores his reduced influence. The Socialist Education Movement, initially intended by Mao as a grassroots movement, was co-opted by Liu to strengthen government control, demonstrating a divergence from Mao's vision. Adding to this, the unprecedented criticism of Mao during this period, notably at the 7000 Cadres Conference in 1962, where he even offered self-criticism for the Great Leap Forward, points to a weakening of his previously unquestionable authority. The allegorical play "Hai Rui Dismissed from Office," interpreted by many as a critique of Mao's treatment of Peng Dehuai, further exemplifies this erosion of his image and, consequently, his influence.
Arguments Against Weakening Influence:
Despite these changes, arguing that Mao's influence completely disappeared would be an oversimplification. While his involvement in daily governance decreased, he remained Chairman of the CCP, a position that granted him significant power and influence. Furthermore, between 1962 and 1965, Mao initiated several mass campaigns that propagated his ideology. The "Learn from Dazhai in Agriculture" campaign, launched in 1963, directly contradicted the dismantling of communes, demonstrating his continued ability to promote his vision. Similarly, the "Learn From Lei Feng" campaign reinforced Maoist principles, highlighting his enduring ideological presence.
Moreover, the period witnessed a strengthening of Mao's personality cult. His image permeated Chinese society, adorning workplaces and public spaces, while millions of copies of "Quotations of Chairman Mao" were distributed. This cult of personality ensured his position as the paramount figure in China, overshadowing Liu and Deng despite their policy successes. Crucially, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) remained firmly under Mao's influence. Lin Biao, a staunch Mao loyalist, defended him at the 7000 Cadres Conference and restructured the PLA according to Maoist principles. This unwavering support from the military provided Mao with a powerful base of power, independent of the party apparatus.
Furthermore, Mao continued to wield influence through loyal allies within the CCP. Chen Boda, his secretary, remained influential, and the establishment of the Cultural Revolution Group (CCRG) in 1965, packed with radical Maoists like Jiang Qing, ensured his ideology remained at the forefront of political discourse. This network of loyal supporters meant that even with his reduced involvement, Mao's ideas continued to hold sway within the party.
Conclusion:
While Mao's day-to-day influence in China did diminish between 1962 and 1965, it would be inaccurate to characterize it as a complete loss of power. His strategic retreat from daily governance allowed Liu and Deng to manage the country's recovery while he focused on consolidating his ideological control through mass campaigns and the reinforcement of his personality cult. His continued influence over the PLA, coupled with the support of key allies, ensured he remained a powerful force in Chinese politics. Ultimately, this period was less a weakening of Mao's influence and more a strategic repositioning, laying the groundwork for his dramatic return to power during the Cultural Revolution. The events of 1966, therefore, did not emerge from a vacuum but were a direct consequence of Mao's calculated maneuvering during these seemingly quiet years.
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Essay Plan: To what extent did Mao Zedong’s influence in China weaken in the years 1962 to 1965?
This essay will assess the extent to which Mao Zedong's influence in China weakened between 1962 and 1965. It will argue that while Mao's direct involvement in government declined, his ideological influence and overall power remained significant, as evidenced by the continuation of his personality cult, his control over the PLA, and the development of new alliances. However, the essay will also acknowledge the signs of weakened influence, such as the adoption of more pragmatic economic policies and the emergence of criticism towards Mao.
Arguments supporting the view that Mao Zedong’s influence in China weakened in the years 1962 to 1965:
1. Reduced involvement in government:
Mao's deliberate retreat to the "second line" of politics and his move to Shanghai in 1965 suggests a decreased day-to-day role in government.
2. Shift in economic policy:
Liu and Deng's adoption of a more pragmatic and centralised approach to economic planning, deviating from Mao's mass mobilisation strategy, indicates a diminished ideological influence within the CCP.
3. Lack of involvement in key decisions:
Mao's absence from major decisions taken by Liu Shaoqi, such as the rehabilitation of intellectuals, suggests a limited ability to influence policy.
4. Criticism and self-criticism:
The emergence of criticism towards Mao at the 7000 Cadres Conference and his own self-criticism, as well as the popularity of the play "Hai Rui Dismissed from Office," indicate a weakening of his authority and a more open atmosphere of dissent.
Arguments challenging the view that Mao Zedong’s influence in China weakened in the years 1962 to 1965:
1. Continued ideological influence:
Mao remained the Chairman of the CCP and launched campaigns promoting his ideology, such as the "Learn from Dazhai in Agriculture" and "Learn from Lei Feng" campaigns.
2. Strengthening personality cult:
The growing personality cult surrounding Mao, evident in the widespread distribution of his image and the "Quotations of Chairman Mao," reinforced his influence within the CCP and among the wider population.
3. Control over the PLA:
Mao retained significant influence over the PLA, as evidenced by Lin Biao's unwavering loyalty and the ongoing reorganization of the army along Maoist lines.
4. Continued political alliances:
Mao's influence was bolstered by his loyal allies, including Chen Boda, and the formation of the CCRG in 1965, which included radical supporters like Jiang Qing.
Conclusion:
While Mao's influence may have appeared to weaken during this period, it is important to consider his deliberate retreat and his ability to maintain control over key elements of power, including the PLA, ideology, and personal charisma. This suggests that his influence, while perhaps less directly exercised, remained substantial and ultimately contributed to the emergence of the Cultural Revolution.
Extracts from Mark Schemes
Arguments Supporting the View that Mao Zedong's Influence Weakened
Arguments supporting the view that Mao Zedong's influence in China weakened in the years 1962 to 1965 might include:
⭐
In terms of day-to-day government, Mao no longer took an active role in a way very different to the 1950s, and this can be seen to have weakened his position. By his own admission, he had retreated to the ‘second line’ of politics, and in 1965 even moved to Shanghai away from Beijing, the political hub of the PRC.
⭐
Economic policy no longer followed Mao’s ideas between 1962 and 1965, showing that his ideological influence over the CCP had diminished. Liu and Deng adopted a more pragmatic and centralised approach to economic planning, contrasting with Mao’s belief in economic development through mass mobilisation of the Chinese people. The commune system so central to Mao’s ideas was dismantled. That Mao began to criticise this as a ‘capitalist road’ shows that even he realised his power and control had diminished.
⭐
Mao was not involved in some of the key actions and decisions made by Liu Shaoqi between 1962 and 1965, showing his lack of influence and so the weakening of his position. Liu took steps to rehabilitate intellectuals in China without consulting Mao and although Mao himself had pressed for the Socialist Education Movement, Liu used it to impose government control rather than seeking change from the people, as Mao had intended.
⭐
There was criticism of Mao during this period that could not have occurred before 1962. In 1962, for example, the 7000 Cadres Conference was critical of the damage caused by the Great Leap Forward, and Mao even delivered a speech of self-criticism. The popular play ‘Hai Rui Dismissed from Office’ was seen by many as an allegory of Mao’s unfair treatment of Peng Dehuai. This treatment of Mao serves to show the weakening of his influence between 1962 and 1965.
Arguments Challenging the View that Mao Zedong's Influence Weakened
Arguments challenging the view that Mao Zedong’s influence in China weakened in the years 1962 to 1965 might include:
⭐
Although Mao had less involvement in the daily running of the PRC, he retained significant influence and power, was still Chairman of the CCP, and was behind several mass campaigns launched between 1962 and 1965 that promoted his ideology. The ‘Learn from Dazhai in Agriculture’ campaign, launched in 1963, contrasted with the policy of dismantling the communes, for example, and the ‘Learn From Lei Feng’ campaign also promoted a Maoist line.
⭐
Mao’s personality cult grew between 1962 and 1965 and this strengthened his influence over many in the CCP and among the wider population. It was Mao’s picture, rather than that of Liu or Deng, that decorated workplaces and between 1964–65 millions of copies of ‘Quotations of Chairman Mao’ had been distributed. Mao’s cult meant that he was seen across China as the most important figure in the CCP regardless of current government policies.
⭐
Mao’s influence over the PLA did not weaken and if anything strengthened between 1962 and 1965. Lin Biao defended Mao’s record at the 7000 Cadre Conference and remained loyal to Mao, reorganising the PLA along Maoist ideas of command. Whilst Mao may have lost some of his daily influence in government, he continued to rely on the loyalty of the army.
⭐
In addition to the PLA, Mao retained significant allies and developed new ones between 1962 and 1965. His Secretary, Chen Boda, remained an influential figure, and in 1965 the CCRG was established, containing Jiang Qing and other radical supporters of Mao. Though Mao had retreated from the ‘first line’ of politics, his allies and supporters had considerable influence, meaning that Mao’s ideas were never far from the forefront.
Conclusion
On the face of it, Mao’s influence did weaken in China between 1962 and 1965 but this was something that Mao intended to happen. He retained the power to reverse the situation if he so chose, and indeed this was what was to come the following year with the advent of the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution. Crucially, he still had control over the PLA, from which many of his other sources of power (the Little Red Book and Lei Feng) also originated, and it would be the PLA who would be central to restoring Mao during the Cultural Revolution.