Mao Zedong Mao

How significant was Mao for China after 1949?

Introduction

Mao Zedong was born in a peasant family in 1893, who rose to become the most important figure in 20th century China. Chairman Mao Zedong was often seen as the founder of China, who dominated China from October 1949 until his death in 1976. After many years of weakness and disunity, Mao was the one that truly made China become once again a united country by overthrowing the imperial rule in the country and creating the People’s Republic of China. In most of the Chinese people’s eyes, Mao could be compared to a living god. However, not all humans were perfect as some of Mao’s weaknesses such as unwillingness to accept responsibility of failure or too stubborn to tolerate opposition created huge impact on China. There were some important initiatives under the rule of Mao which affected China in different aspects including the economic situation, social development and political environment. Mao also led his country through long years of unstable turbulence and tragedy.

Important initiatives under the rule of Mao

1949, China’s economy and its people were exhausted after years of war and conflict. As peasants and farmers were forced to go into war, agricultural production had fallen and food shortages were a serious problem. The nationalist Kuomintang government had left the problem of soaring inflation and the financial situation had been worse. Communist Party had not yet in full control over China yet as there were the power of local warlords. Other problems were China’s deep social and ethnic division.

Land reforms

Mao began to introduce land reforms after the Republic of China was created. The reform was simple, which was basically confiscation and redistr...

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...n transformed into a great global power. Under communist rules, China regained its independence, pride and self-respect. There were progress towards greater equality for women and the majority of Chinese population became better educated and healthy. However, Mao was not an administrator, with limited understanding of economics. It is clear that tens of millions of Chinese people suffered violent deaths and many millions died from famine under Mao’s rule. The Chinese state exercise power in an unreasonable way and the victims under Mao’s policy had no right to be protected under the law. Mao ordered the attacks on intellectuals that disrupted China’s education system had discouraged innovation and experiment, leaving the country unable to develop its own advanced technology. Mao was also a ruthless dictator to overthrow leaders that maybe a threat or opposing him.