The Death of Mao

After Lin Biao

• Who would succeed Mao?
• Zhou Enlai was too old.
• Jiang Qing was Mao’s wife, but hated.

After Lin Biao

• Zhou Enlai

• Wanted to increase contact with the west and organised a visit from President Nixon in 1972.
• This began a relaxation of cultural policy and western orchestras were allowed to visit.
• In 1973 exams were reintroduced as a means for entering universities.

After Lin Biao

• The Radicals

• Zhang Chunqiao, not Zhou Enlai hosted Nixon’s visit.
• They held the intellectual high ground (ultra leftist).
• Three of them were in the Politburo and they controlled the media and propaganda.

Succession

• Mao’s health was deteriorating rapidly.
• In 1973 Wang Hongwen was named as Mao’s successor.
• He had the ‘correct’ background, peasant, worker, soldier.
• At the same time Mao returned Deng Xiaoping to government – he was experienced and Zhou was terminally ill with lung cancer.

Jiang Qing

• In 1973 Jiang launched the Anti Confucius campaign.
• This was a thinly veiled attack on Zhou and Deng for wanting to replace Mao.
• However they went further than Mao intended and so he gave Zhou and Deng his support.
• Wang however became close allies with Jiang and the Gang of Four.
• The succession was once again in question.

Mao’s Health

• In 1975 Mao’s health grew worse – he had cataracts, leaving him virtually blind and Parkinson’s disease, he needed oxygen to breath and could barely talk.
• With Zhou also ill and unable to have an operation due to Mao’s beliefs, Deng found himself promoted to Vice Premier, and then head of the PLA and a member of the Politburo.

Zhou’s death

• Zhou died in January 1976.
• The Gang of Four used their power in the media to suppress the widespread grief felt by the people.
• However this did not work and millions came to Tiananmen square.
• Wreaths etc were removed leading to protests which ended in the execution of hundreds of people.

After Zhou

• Deng was blamed for the protests in Tiananmen square and dismissed from all posts.
• Hua Guofeng (Zhou’s replacement) was named as Vice Chairman.
• The Gang of Four built up a militia to overthrow Hua, but he had the support of the PLA.
• In May 1976 Mao had a series of heart attacks.

Mao’s death

• Mao died on 9th September 1976.
• Hua replaced him in all the top positions in government, the CCP and the PLA.
• On the 6th October 1976 Hua arrested the Gang of Four.
• Deng was returned once more and would replace Hua in 1980.

Mao’s achievements

• China was changed in many ways;

• It became a united country
• Central government was established
• She became a powerful country with nuclear capabilities
• Women had more equality
• The population were better educated and healthier
• Food production was keeping up with the population
• Improved communications and infrastructure
• Industrial development e.g. steel.

Mao’s legacy

• Tens of millions of people died violent deaths
• Millions died during the famine
• There were no human rights for people who were arrested – many died from their ill treatment
• China lacked technology developed in the west
• Attacks on intellectuals and the education system left China unable to develop and advance technology
• Due to lack of investment the wages of farmers rose very slowly whilst those in the cities rose quickly
• Advocating women’s rights did not stop Mao from employing women simply to satisfy his own needs…