Mao and the Cultural Revolution: Mao's Motivation and Strategy

Description

Acclaimed national researcher Hu Angang presents Mao and the Cultural Revolution, an immensely rich account of the massive political event of 1966 that brought seismic changes to the landscape of New China. A culmination of Mao Zedong's political ambitions, the Cultural Revolution restored his power and prestige as paramount leader, albeit at great costs to the economic and social development to the country. The impact of the movement -- more significantly, the politics that drove it -- deeply influences political philosophy in China today. Hu Angang's Mao and the Cultural Revolution provides a unique perspective and objective assessment of the progression of the Cultural Revolution, focusing on the intra-party politics, the Politburo's international outlook, and the political thought of the Chinese leadership that shaped these pivotal decades. Hu's research is a must-read for academic scholars demanding a native-centric account of the Cultural Revolution, as well as think-tank researchers desiring to understand the foundations of contemporary Chinese political thought. Cover Contents Introduction: Historical Lessons of the Cultural Revolution Mao Zedong and the Significance of the Cultural Revolution Basic Characteristics of the Cultural Revolution Analytical Framework Content and Organization Mao Zedong’s Preparations for the Cultural Revolution International Background to Mao Zedong’s Class Struggle Theory Mao Zedong’s Basic Assessment of the Political Situation in China Mao Zedong’s Basic Assessment of the Economic Situation in China Fomenting Public Sentiment for the Launch of the Cultural Revolution Mao Zedong’s Political Differences with Liu Shaoqi and Deng Xiaoping How the Intraparty Democratic System Failed How China Missed Development Opportunities The First Salvo of the Cultural Revolution February Outline and February Minutes Notice on May 16 and the First Purge of Veteran Cadres The Big-character Poster at Peking University and “Letter to Jiang Qing” The Eleventh Plenary Session of the 8th Central Committee of the CPC and “Bombarding the Headquarters” The “Destroy Four Olds” Movement and Nationwide Chaos Criticism of the Bourgeois Counter-revolutionary Line and the Convention of the Central Work Conference in October Bibliography Index