Mao Zedong in 1968: Key Initiatives and Their Impact on China

Mao Zedong, the founding father of the People's Republic of China and a towering figure in 20th-century history, was a leader whose policies and initiatives had a profound impact on China and the world. By 1968, China was deeply entrenched in the throes of the Cultural Revolution, a socio-political movement initiated by Mao in 1966. This year marked several significant developments and initiatives that further shaped the course of Chinese history.

The Cultural Revolution in Full Swing

The Cultural Revolution, which began in 1966, reached its peak intensity in 1968. Mao's primary aim was to preserve communist ideology by purging remnants of capitalist and traditional elements from Chinese society. The movement sought to enforce communism by removing what were considered the four "olds": old customs, old culture, old habits, and old ideas.

In 1968, the Cultural Revolution intensified with the nationwide mobilization of the Red Guards, militant youth groups that acted as the vanguard of Mao's revolutionary goals. These groups were encouraged to challenge and attack perceived enemies of the revolution, leading to widespread chaos, destruction of cultural heritage, and the persecution of intellectuals and perceived counter-revolutionaries.

The "Down to the Countryside Movement"

One of the most significant initiatives of 1968 was the "Down to the Countryside Movement" (上山下乡运动). This policy forced millions of urban youths, particularly high school and college students, to relocate to rural areas. Mao believed that young people needed to be re-educated by the peasantry and learn from their hard work and simplicity. This movement aimed to eliminate the divide between urban and rural areas and to instill revolutionary values in young people.

The movement had several impacts:

1. Displacement and Hardship: Many urban youths were uprooted from their homes and sent to remote, underdeveloped areas, often facing harsh living and working conditions.
2. Labor Force Redistribution: The policy temporarily alleviated urban unemployment but led to inefficiencies and disruptions in agricultural production.
3. Social and Psychological Effects: The forced relocations led to widespread disillusionment among the youth and strained family ties, with long-lasting effects on Chinese society.

Suppression of the Red Guards

By 1968, the activities of the Red Guards had led to severe social and economic disruptions. Factional violence among different Red Guard groups had escalated, causing instability and threatening the authority of the Communist Party. In response, Mao and the central leadership decided to curb the influence of the Red Guards.

The People's Liberation Army (PLA) was called upon to restore order and take control of the situation. This marked a turning point in the Cultural Revolution, as the PLA began to play a more prominent role in governance and enforcement of policies. The suppression of the Red Guards involved disbanding their organizations, ending their campaigns, and reintegrating the youth into more productive roles.

The Ninth Party Congress

The Ninth National Congress of the Communist Party of China, held in April 1969 but prepared extensively in 1968, was a crucial event in solidifying the direction of the Cultural Revolution. The congress endorsed Mao's policies and purged many of his rivals from the party. Lin Biao, a key supporter of Mao and a prominent military leader, was officially designated as Mao's successor.

The congress emphasized the importance of continuing the Cultural Revolution and maintaining the proletarian dictatorship. This solidified the political atmosphere of the time, reinforcing Mao's ideological dominance and the central role of the Cultural Revolution in Chinese politics.

The Impact on Education and Intellectual Life

The educational system in China was deeply affected by the policies of the Cultural Revolution. Schools and universities were closed or repurposed, and academic curricula were revised to focus on political indoctrination rather than traditional academic subjects. Intellectuals were targeted as enemies of the revolution, leading to widespread persecution, imprisonment, and, in many cases, execution.

In 1968, these policies continued to devastate the intellectual and cultural fabric of Chinese society. Scholars, writers, and artists were forced to undergo "thought reform" and publicly denounce their previous work. This period saw a significant loss of academic freedom and a stifling of intellectual creativity, the effects of which would be felt for decades.

The International Dimension

Mao's initiatives in 1968 also had significant international implications. The Cultural Revolution and its associated turmoil were closely watched by the global community, influencing perceptions of China and its communist regime. Mao's China sought to position itself as the leader of the global revolutionary movement, promoting communist ideology in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

China's relationship with the Soviet Union, already strained by ideological differences, further deteriorated during this period. The Sino-Soviet split had profound implications for global geopolitics, contributing to the complexity of the Cold War dynamics.

Conclusion

The year 1968 was a pivotal moment in Mao Zedong's leadership and the history of modern China. The initiatives and policies implemented during this period, particularly within the context of the Cultural Revolution, had far-reaching consequences for Chinese society, politics, and the international community. The "Down to the Countryside Movement," the suppression of the Red Guards, and the preparations for the Ninth Party Congress were key aspects of Mao's strategy to consolidate power and enforce his vision of a communist China.

While these initiatives aimed to transform Chinese society in line with Maoist ideology, they also resulted in significant social upheaval, economic disruption, and human suffering. The legacy of 1968 remains a complex and contentious chapter in the history of China, reflecting the profound impact of Mao Zedong's leadership and the tumultuous era of the Cultural Revolution.