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.

Global Leadership in 1968: A Snapshot of 52 Influential World Leaders

The year 1968 was a pivotal moment in global history, marked by significant political, social, and cultural upheavals. Across the world, leaders were navigating complex landscapes, from Cold War tensions and decolonization efforts to economic development and social reforms. This list provides a snapshot of 52 influential leaders from various countries who ruled during this transformative year. These leaders, including presidents, prime ministers, kings, and other heads of state, played crucial roles in shaping the political and social dynamics of their respective nations. Each paragraph offers a brief overview of their leadership and the key challenges and accomplishments they faced in 1968. This compilation highlights the diverse and dynamic nature of global leadership during a year that left an indelible mark on history.

1.  Lyndon B. Johnson (USA)

Lyndon B. Johnson was the 36th President of the United States, serving from 1963 to 1969. He assumed office after the assassination of John F. Kennedy and is known for his "Great Society" domestic programs and significant civil rights advancements. 1968 was a tumultuous year in his presidency, marked by the escalation of the Vietnam War and widespread civil unrest.

2. Queen Elizabeth II (United Kingdom)

Queen Elizabeth II has been the monarch of the United Kingdom since 1952. In 1968, her role was primarily ceremonial, as the UK is a constitutional monarchy. However, she played a significant part in British society and international relations, symbolizing continuity and stability during a period marked by political and social changes, including the decolonization process and domestic economic challenges.

3. Harold Wilson (United Kingdom)

Harold Wilson was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1964 to 1970 and again from 1974 to 1976. In 1968, Wilson's government faced economic challenges and labor strikes, and his administration worked on decolonization policies and navigating Cold War tensions. He also dealt with significant social changes and the rise of the civil rights movement within the UK.

4. Leonid Brezhnev (Soviet Union)

Leonid Brezhnev was the General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union from 1964 to 1982. In 1968, Brezhnev’s leadership was marked by the invasion of Czechoslovakia to suppress the Prague Spring, reinforcing Soviet control over Eastern Europe.

5. Mao Zedong (China)

Mao Zedong was the Chairman of the Communist Party of China from 1949 until his death in 1976. In 1968, China was in the midst of the Cultural Revolution, a campaign led by Mao to preserve communist ideology by purging remnants of capitalist and traditional elements from Chinese society.

6. Lee Kuan Yew (Singapore)

Lee Kuan Yew was the first Prime Minister of Singapore, serving from 1959 to 1990. In 1968, he was focused on transforming Singapore into a global financial hub, implementing policies that emphasized economic growth, education, and infrastructure development.

7. Ferdinand Marcos (Philippines)

Ferdinand Marcos was the President of the Philippines from 1965 to 1986. By 1968, he was consolidating his power, focusing on infrastructure projects while allegations of corruption and political repression were starting to emerge.

8. Indira Gandhi (India)

Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister of India from 1966 to 1977 and again from 1980 until her assassination in 1984. In 1968, she was consolidating her power, working on economic reforms, and managing regional tensions and social issues within India.

9. John Gorton (Australia)

John Gorton became the Prime Minister of Australia in 1968, following the disappearance of Harold Holt. Gorton focused on developing Australian nationalism and expanding social services during his tenure.

10. Pierre Trudeau (Canada)

Pierre Trudeau became Prime Minister of Canada in 1968, ushering in an era of progressive policies, bilingualism, and a distinctive Canadian identity. His charismatic leadership style left a lasting impact on Canadian politics.

11. Tunku Abdul Rahman (Malaysia)

Tunku Abdul Rahman was the first Prime Minister of Malaysia, serving from 1957 to 1970. In 1968, he was known for his efforts to foster racial harmony and develop the Malaysian economy amidst regional tensions.

12. Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (Saudi Arabia)

King Faisal ruled Saudi Arabia from 1964 until his assassination in 1975. In 1968, he continued his efforts to modernize the country, improve the economy, and strengthen Islamic solidarity worldwide.

13. Gamal Abdel Nasser (Egypt)

Gamal Abdel Nasser was the President of Egypt from 1954 until his death in 1970. In 1968, he was leading Egypt through the aftermath of the Six-Day War of 1967, focusing on rebuilding the Egyptian military and addressing internal political dissent.

14. Sukarno (Indonesia)

Sukarno was the first President of Indonesia, serving from 1945 to 1967. Although he was officially removed from power in 1967, he remained a symbolic figure until his complete ouster in 1968, during a period of political transition and upheaval.

15. Suharto (Indonesia)

Suharto became the second President of Indonesia, officially taking power in 1968 after deposing Sukarno. His New Order regime focused on economic development and political stability, but was marked by authoritarianism and human rights abuses.

16. Nguyễn Văn Thiệu (South Vietnam)

Nguyễn Văn Thiệu was the President of South Vietnam from 1967 until the fall of Saigon in 1975. In 1968, during the Vietnam War, he led the country through the intense conflict, particularly the Tet Offensive, which was a significant turning point in the war.

17. Ho Chi Minh (North Vietnam)

Ho Chi Minh was the President of North Vietnam from 1945 until his death in 1969. In 1968, he was a central figure in the Vietnam War, leading North Vietnam against the South Vietnamese government and its U.S. allies.

18. King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Thailand)

King Bhumibol Adulyadej, also known as Rama IX, was the King of Thailand from 1946 until his death in 2016. In 1968, he was highly revered by the Thai people and played a crucial role in stabilizing the nation during periods of political turmoil. His influence extended beyond ceremonial duties as he engaged in numerous development projects and initiatives to improve the lives of his subjects, promoting education, healthcare, and rural development.

19. Thanom Kittikachorn (Thailand)

Thanom Kittikachorn was the Prime Minister of Thailand from 1963 to 1973. In 1968, he maintained a pro-U.S. stance during the Cold War, supporting anti-communist efforts in Southeast Asia and overseeing economic development. His military-led government faced criticism for its authoritarian practices, but he remained a key figure in Thai politics during this period.

20. Norodom Sihanouk (Cambodia)

Norodom Sihanouk was the Chief of State of Cambodia in 1968, having abdicated his throne to engage in politics. His neutral stance in the Vietnam War and his efforts to maintain Cambodian sovereignty amid regional conflicts were key aspects of his leadership.

21. Chiang Kai-shek (Taiwan)

Chiang Kai-shek was the President of the Republic of China (Taiwan) from 1948 until his death in 1975. In 1968, he led Taiwan under martial law, focusing on economic development and maintaining a strong anti-communist position against mainland China.

22. Levi Eshkol (Israel)

Levi Eshkol was the Prime Minister of Israel from 1963 until his death in 1969. In 1968, he was dealing with the aftermath of the Six-Day War of 1967, focusing on consolidating Israeli control over newly acquired territories and addressing regional security concerns.

23. Giovanni Leone (Italy)

Giovanni Leone was the Prime Minister of Italy in 1963 and again in 1968 before becoming President from 1971 to 1978. His brief second term in 1968 was marked by political instability and social unrest, including student protests and labor strikes.

24. Eisaku Satō (Japan)

Eisaku Satō was the Prime Minister of Japan from 1964 to 1972. In 1968, he was focusing on economic growth, strengthening Japan's post-war alliance with the United States, and beginning to address the reversion of Okinawa from U.S. control.

25. B. J. Vorster (South Africa)

Balthazar Johannes Vorster was the Prime Minister of South Africa from 1966 to 1978. In 1968, his government was enforcing the apartheid system, facing international condemnation while promoting economic development within the racially segregated society.

26. Charles de Gaulle (France)

Charles de Gaulle was the President of France from 1959 to 1969. In 1968, he dealt with massive student protests and strikes, leading to the famous May 1968 events. Despite the social unrest, he managed to maintain power but would resign the following year.

27. Pope Paul VI (Vatican City)

Pope Paul VI led the Catholic Church from 1963 to 1978. In 1968, he issued the encyclical "Humanae Vitae," reaffirming the church's opposition to contraception, which stirred significant controversy and debate within the Church and broader society.

28. Harald V (Norway)

Harald V was not yet the King of Norway in 1968, as he ascended to the throne in 1991. In 1968, King Olav V was the reigning monarch, continuing his role since 1957, known for his efforts to modernize Norway and his down-to-earth public presence.

29. Josip Broz Tito (Yugoslavia)

Josip Broz Tito was the leader of Yugoslavia from the end of World War II until his death in 1980. In 1968, he maintained his non-aligned stance during the Cold War, balancing relations between the East and West while managing internal ethnic divisions.

30. Haile Selassie (Ethiopia)

Emperor Haile Selassie I ruled Ethiopia from 1930 to 1974. In 1968, he was a prominent figure in African politics, known for his efforts in promoting African unity and modernization despite facing growing domestic unrest.

31. Park Chung-hee (South Korea)

Park Chung-hee was the President of South Korea from 1963 until his assassination in 1979. His rule in 1968 was characterized by rapid industrialization and economic growth, alongside strict authoritarian control.

32. Ludwig Erhard (West Germany)

Ludwig Erhard was the Chancellor of West Germany from 1963 to 1966, known for his role in the "economic miracle." By 1968, his successor, Kurt Georg Kiesinger, led the government, focusing on economic policies and addressing student protests.

33. Nicolae Ceaușescu (Romania)

Nicolae Ceaușescu was the General Secretary of the Romanian Communist Party from 1965 and later President. In 1968, he gained international attention for his opposition to the Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia, positioning Romania as an independent socialist state.

34. Ayub Khan (Pakistan)

Ayub Khan was the President of Pakistan from 1958 to 1969. By 1968, his regime was under pressure due to economic issues, political opposition, and civil unrest, leading to his eventual resignation in 1969.

35. Julius Nyerere (Tanzania)

Julius Nyerere was the first President of Tanzania, serving from 1964 to 1985. In 1968, he was implementing his policy of Ujamaa, focusing on African socialism and rural development to foster economic independence and social equality.

36. Georgios Papadopoulos (Greece)

Georgios Papadopoulos was a military officer who led the coup in 1967 and became the head of the military junta in Greece. In 1968, he was consolidating his power, implementing authoritarian policies, and suppressing political opposition.

37. Kwame Nkrumah (Ghana)

Kwame Nkrumah was the first President of Ghana, serving from 1960 until he was overthrown in 1966. By 1968, he was living in exile in Guinea, where he continued to influence African politics as an advocate for Pan-Africanism.

38. Francisco Franco (Spain)

Francisco Franco was the dictator of Spain from 1939 until his death in 1975. In 1968, he maintained his authoritarian regime, suppressing political dissent while beginning limited economic liberalization.

39. Muammar Gaddafi (Libya)

Muammar Gaddafi led a coup in 1969, thus in 1968, King Idris I was the monarch of Libya. Gaddafi’s eventual rule transformed Libya into a socialist state with a strong anti-Western stance.

40. B. J. Vorster (South Africa)

Balthazar Johannes Vorster was the Prime Minister of South Africa from 1966 to 1978. In 1968, his government was enforcing the apartheid system, facing international condemnation while promoting economic development within the racially segregated society.

41. Hassan II (Morocco)

King Hassan II ruled Morocco from 1961 to 1999. In 1968, he was dealing with internal political unrest and implementing economic and social reforms aimed at modernizing the country while maintaining a strong monarchical control.

42. Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani (Qatar)

Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani became the Emir of Qatar in 1972, thus in 1968, Qatar was under the rule of Sheikh Ahmad bin Ali Al Thani. The period was marked by Qatar's transition towards greater independence and the early stages of its economic development fueled by oil revenues.

43. Nikolai Podgorny (Ukraine - Soviet Union)

In 1968, Ukraine was part of the Soviet Union, and Nikolai Podgorny was the Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR. Although he held a central government position, Ukraine was governed under the larger Soviet system, with Petro Shelest as the First Secretary of the Communist Party of Ukraine.

44. Yumjaagiin Tsedenbal (Mongolia)

Yumjaagiin Tsedenbal was the leader of Mongolia from 1952 to 1984, serving as Prime Minister and later Chairman of the Presidium. In 1968, he was reinforcing Mongolia’s close alliance with the Soviet Union, promoting socialist policies, and focusing on economic development.

45. Kim Il-sung (North Korea)

Kim Il-sung was the Supreme Leader of North Korea from its establishment in 1948 until his death in 1994. In 1968, his regime was characterized by strict authoritarian control, a personality cult, and efforts to build a self-reliant socialist state, known as Juche.

46. Gustáv Husák (Czechoslovakia)

Gustáv Husák rose to power after the Prague Spring, becoming the leader of Czechoslovakia in 1969. In 1968, the country experienced a brief period of political liberalization under Alexander Dubček, which was abruptly ended by the Warsaw Pact invasion. Husák would later oversee the period of "Normalization" under Soviet influence.

47. Levi Eshkol (Israel)

Levi Eshkol was the Prime Minister of Israel from 1963 until his death in 1969. In 1968, he was dealing with the aftermath of the Six-Day War of 1967, focusing on consolidating Israeli control over newly acquired territories and addressing regional security concerns.

48. Giovanni Leone (Italy)

Giovanni Leone was the Prime Minister of Italy in 1963 and again in 1968 before becoming President from 1971 to 1978. His brief second term in 1968 was marked by political instability and social unrest, including student protests and labor strikes.

50. Omar Ali Saifuddien III (Brunei)

Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III ruled Brunei from 1950 until his abdication in 1967, at which point his son, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, took over. By 1968, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah was focusing on modernizing Brunei and preparing the groundwork for its eventual independence from British.

51. Jorge Pacheco Areco (Uruguay)

Jorge Pacheco Areco was the President of Uruguay from 1967 to 1972. His term was marked by economic difficulties and rising political violence, leading to the implementation of emergency measures and restrictions on civil liberties.

52. Houari Boumédiène (Algeria)

Houari Boumédiène was the President of Algeria from 1965 until his death in 1978. In 1968, he pursued socialist policies, nationalized key industries, and strengthened Algeria’s position in the Non-Aligned Movement.