Dan Snow's History Hit
Chairman Mao
Aug 22, 2023
Author Jung Chang joins the host to discuss Chairman Mao's rule in China, including the devastating loss' faced during the Cultural Revolution, Mao's political relationships with Russia, and his legacy on China and the rest of the globe.
43:13
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Quick takeaways
- Mao Zedong strategically manipulated events to gain power, including sparking the Chinese Civil War and exploiting the ceasefire during World War II.
- Jung Chang's personal experiences under Mao's rule led her to question the regime and expose its atrocities.
Deep dives
Mao Zedong's Rise to Power
Mao Zedong, the Chinese communist leader, rose to power through cunning and manipulation. Stalin recognized Mao's ruthlessness and promoted him in the Communist Party. Mao strategically manipulated events to gain power, including sparking the Chinese Civil War and exploiting the ceasefire between China and Japan during World War II. He built a strong military industry through severe famine caused by exporting food to support the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. Mao should be remembered as one of history's most brutal dictators, responsible for the death of millions of his own people.
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