History 12

Rachel McMillan
UNIT SEVEN
The Cult of Mao

Using primary evidence (pictures, quotes, slogans) describe how Mao was able to create a specific
image of himself that encouraged the people to see him as their revered leader.

Starting at the earliest points in his political reign, Mao utilized all opportunities to spread his
communist ideologies throughout China. As this began at a time when China was desperate for change,
Maos speeches gained him valuable support as he made personal connections with the population.

Chairman Mao gives us

a happy life

Turn China into a prosperous

The sunlight of Mao Zedongs thought
illuminates the road of the Great Proletarian and powerful socialist country
under the leadership of Chairman
Cultural Revolution
Mao!

Mao employed
propaganda posters to great length in order to ensure he would remain in great standing among the Chinese
people. These posters would portray Mao as an industrialist, an intellectual, a teacher, a father, and a friend
to the Chinese population, and continued to evolve until Mao was viewed as a God-like figure.

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Rachel McMillan

Large scale portraits of Mao were hung in heavily trafficked areas throughout China, including
Tiananmen Square, as well as peoples homes. Some of these portraits still remain today, but were utilized
at the time to remind citizens of Maos overseeing power. No grey or black shading was allowed in Maos
portraits, as this was though to represent anti-revolutionary ideas. Instead, Mao was always painted in
reddish tones, representative of his communist ideals and seeing that he always appeared bright.

An army of the people is invincible!

Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun.
We Communists are like seeds and the people are like the soil. Wherever we go, we must
unite with the people, take root and blossom among them.

During the Cultural Revolution, Mao widely published and distributed a vast compilation of his quotes
and excerpts from his speeches in a book called Quotations from Chairman Mao, or, as it is more
commonly referred to as, The Little Red Book. The book became a guideline for daily life, and was printed
in small sizes to encourage citizens to carry the wisdom of Chairman Mao with them throughout their day.
The quotes within the Little Red Book garnered further support of Mao as they portrayed him as intelligent
and inspiring. Furthermore, the book full of quotes saw that nearly all Chinese citizens would be exposed
to Maos intentions and policies.
In point-form, list the positive things Mao did for his people that supported his image.
o Mao helped lead Chinese soldiers against the Japanese in WWII
o Mao united China after years of civil war
o with the help of the Kuomintang, Maos Chinese Communist Party expelled northern warlords
from China
o Mao strengthened Chinas military by creating the Peoples Liberation Army which quickly grew
in number

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Rachel McMillan

o Mao treated Chinese peasants well, demonstrated by his promise to end feudalism and the aid
given to farmers
o Mao rid China of the Kuomintang, a group heavily backed by the USA which supported capitalist
values
o Mao enacted policies which were intended to modernize China industrially and agriculturally
o Maos policies lessened the inequality gap between Chinese citizens
o through Ping-Pong Diplomacy, Mao strengthened Chinas political relationship with the USA
which signified an increase in Chinas international reputation
o Mao improved the role and status of women in Chinese society
o Chinas population increased, which was helped by improved medical care and sanitation
In point-form, list the negative things Mao did for his people that did not support his image.
o many of Maos policies resulted in complete failure
the Hundred Flowers Campaign came to an abrupt halt as Mao received criticism, which
resulted in the removal of small freedom for the Chinese public
the Great Leap Forward saw the greatest famine in Chinese history, causing an estimated
thirty million to starve to death
the Cultural Revolution destroyed much Chinas historical culture, and saw the death of
many intellectuals and elderly who were deemed a threat to Maos communist regime
o Maos foreign policy saw the disintegration of a relationship with the USSR, an important ally in
the fight for communist dominance
o Mao reduced foreign trade, which poorly impacted the Chinese economy
o Maos reign over Chinese citizens grew to become suppressive and authoritarian, popularizing
censorship in the country and often employing violence
Compare the "Cult of Mao" to that of Stalin, Hitler, and Mussolini. Was he more, or less successful than
his predecessors in creating a lasting, positive image of himself?
While followers of Mao Zedong may not have appeared as active or faithful as those supporting Stalin,
Mussolini or Hitler during their reigns, Mao may now be considered more successful than his comrades in
the exercise of the cult of personality, as his positive image still remains throughout China today. Although
Stalin garnered widespread support throughout his communist rule, and some still hold him in high
regards, the ultimate impact Stalin had on the USSR would not be considered successful. Immediately after
Stalins death, his successor began a process known as de-Stalinization, which speaks to Stalins inability
to create a lasting positive image. Previous to Stalins death and the conclusion of World War II, Mussolini
was removed from government by his own Fascist Grand Council. Images and symbols of Mussolinis
reign were subsequently destroyed by the government and public, and citizens began to drag statues of
Mussolini through the streets, regularly kicking or spitting at his figure. Mussolini was executed privately,
but his corpse was displayed publically and exposed to brutal public outrage. While Mussolinis cult of
personality was admirable, it can be concluded that it was not completely successful due to its quick
disestablishment. Finally, although Hitler controlled an inarguably strong cult of personality throughout
World War II, he too was unable to maintain a lasting positive image. After the Allies were determined to
be the winners of WWII, Hitlers Nazi legacy completely dissolved. Heinous and appalling policies, such
as the Holocaust, were made public, and Hitler quickly adopted the reputation of a monster. Conversely to
these world leaders, Mao Zedong has remained extremely popular in China to this day despite his political
blunders. While Mao can be considered responsible for the starvation of millions, he is still regarded highly
among the Chinese government and population. His portrait hangs over the entrance to the Forbidden City,
while his body is preserved in a mausoleum in Tiananmen Square. Furthermore, Chinas current leaders
often credit Mao with Chinas recent economic and industrial success. For these reasons, it can be

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Rachel McMillan

concluded that Mao was more successful than his predecessors Stalin, Hitler, and Mussolini, as he
continues to hold a positive image in his country after his absence from leadership.