What methods did Mao use to consolidate his power between 1949 and 1957?

1. What methods did Mao use to consolidate his power between 1949 and 1957? by Louisa Luk, Elizabeth Lam, Helen Li

2. Mao's political ideology IDEOLOGY: based on Marxism but adapted specifically to Chinese conditions; added own ideas of self-reliance; continuation of revolution; class struggle; learning from the people and mass mobilisation Self-reliance: • China to be independent and powerful • liberate China from foreign control • free the people from feudal landlords Continuation of Revolution: • 1949: revolution begins now • essential for new generation to be involved in revolutionary struggle • Revolutionary zeal was top priority Class struggle: • continuing class struggle vital to CCP's survival • CCP to be periodically "rectified" e.g. Yanan Rectification Campaign (1942)

3. Mao's political ideology Learning from the people: • CCP should be embedded in the masses • CCP to listen to concerns of the people • Masses to participate in policies discussions • The people: most important in ensuring CCP rule stays fair/does not succumb to corruption Mass mobilisation: •  mobilise people in mass campaigns to achieve objectives • Mao strongly believed in goodness of people - believed China's mass population could achieve everything

4. Mao's political ideology • 1949: Mao established himself as undisputed leader of party • developed own distinctive reactionary Communism: MAO ZEDONG THOUGHT • became cause of much debate/division within Party • Mao's flexibility enabled him to make tactical alliances with certain Party members while maintaining ideological goals • eventually rid CCP of 28 Bolsheviks who opposed his ideology - thus limiting USSR influence in China Cult of Mao: • Elevated Mao's position as "The Leader" - greater than any other CCP member • Mao seen as omnipotent, wise, virtuous • consolidated position in Party as support of his ideology and Mao Zedong Throught increased; enabled larger support base

5. People's Liberation Army • The job of the PLA did not end after China seized power in 1949; their main roles are: • Used as a form of propaganda • Used as a main component to bridge the gap between Party and people, i.e: • Participate in public works alongside people • A PLA soldier is trained not only in the art of warfare, but indoctrinated by the Chinese Communist ideology • State spending on the PLA took up over 41% as of 1953 • There were 5 million men in 1950, but its size reduced to 3.5 million in 1953; nevertheless, they remained as the largest military force in the world ~ POWER demonstrated • Every year, an average of 800000 men were conscripted (compulsory enlistment) into the PLA

6. People's Liberation Army Propaganda: • The PLA were revered as they physically fought in the Chinese revolution, thus they were used to promote good virtues and arouse a sense of patriotic pride: Discipline, Self- sacrifice, Endurance, Perseverance • Interaction with the people: • They were sent to pass on the ideology to the peasants • Take part in public works (i.e. rebuilding bridges, railways, roads damaged in previous wars) • Some demobilized units were restructured: i.e. First Field Army turned into Production and Construction army responsible for tapping minerals and developing agricultural land • This is an example of MASS LINE as a method of power consolidation

7. Repression and Terror • The outbreak of the Korean War engendered a sense of fear among people for the threatened Chinese Communist revolution • This atmosphere was used by Mao and Party officials to justify their more radical actions against "counter revolutionary elements" (i.e. landlords, bourgeoise) Main Methods: • Labour Camps (Lao Gai) • Public "trials" • Imprisonment and/or executions • Social scrutiny • Mass Campaigns

8. Repression and Terror Among many mass campaigns, the following were examples of the use of terror and repression The Resist America and Aid Korea Campaign: (1950) • As a result of the Korean War, Americans and foreigners were targeted as enemies of the state and expelled from the nation ~ China becomes closed to Western influences • Any institutions that have Western links (i.e. Churches) came under state suspicion The Suppression of Counter Revolutionaries: (1950) • This was the persecution of internal elements such as people with links to the GMD, or religious sects • In Shanghai along in 1950, 40000 people were allegedly persecuted, investigated, denounced and punished • Executions took place in public to install fear

9. Repression and Terror Three Antis Campaign: (1951) • Again, an internal persecution campaign targeting against corruption, bureaucracy and waste • Targets included managers, State officials and Party members (* In 1953, the first major purge of the Party took place, seeing the persecution of leading members such as Gao Gang and Rao Shushi) • Targets were forced to publicly self- criticize and be humiliated Five Antis Campaign: (1952) • This tackled problems such as bribery, tax evasion and theft of State property • Targets included most of the bourgeoise class • Mass meetings and group criticism sessions took place • Instead of executions, many targets in fact committed suicide as a result of the repression