R E V I E W I N G Y O U R C H A R T H A N D O U T ( G I V E N T O Y O U L A S T
C L A S S ) , A N S W E R T H E F O L L O W I N G :
1 .
W H I C H S I D E ( B A S E D S O L E L Y O N T H E C H A R T ) W O U L D
Y O U H A V E S U P P O R T E D I N T H E C H I N E S E C I V I L W A R ?
W H Y ?
2 .
W H A T F A C T O R S A L L O W E D T H E C C P T O W I N T H E C I V I L
W A R ? W A S I T A W I N B A S E D O N T H E I R S T R E N G T H O R A
W I N B E C A U S E O F T H E G M D W E A K N E S S ? E X P L A I N

Key Points


Mao’s beliefs shaped by family and studies
Mao was a member of the CCP, but he did not start the party

Orthodox Marxism
 Progress would come through class struggle in which the landowner and the bourgeoisie had to be overthrown. This would lead to a dictatorship of the proletariat (or the masses). There should be collective ownership of the means of production.
Socialist states should promote worldwide
Communist Revolution.

The Importance of Peasants
 Peasant masses could overthrow capitalism and create a communist society

Two-Stage Revolution


The first revolution could contain elements of the bourgeoisie.

During this stage there could be private ownership.
Second revolution would bring collectivization and nationalization of property and resources and remove the bourgeoisie.

Mass Mobilization and Voluntaryism



The party should learn from the people.
Campaigns should be people’s campaigns and not be imposed from the leaders.
People will support campaigns voluntarily and work in the best interest of all.

Continuous Revolution
 Revolution should not cease once a party achieved power but should constantly revise itself to avoid complacency and corruption

Self-Criticism and Rectification



Officials should undergo regular criticism to prevent themselves from becoming self-satisfied and elitist.
There should be regular purges of the party.
Only through self-criticism would individuals see the wisdom of mass campaigns and rectify “false thoughts”

Ruthless Determination


Will power and determination would be sufficient to bring about change provided everyone showed total commitment.
Violence was needed in revolution.

The Primacy of “Mao Zedong Thought”
 Mao was always right and people could find a solution to any problem if they studied his ideas well enough.

Mao’s Writings (Group Project)