Modern China Pt. 3: The Great Leap Forward & Cultural Revolution w/ Ken Hammond
May 23, 2024
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Ken Hammond, an expert in modern Chinese history, joins to discuss The Great Leap Forward and Cultural Revolution in modern China. The episode explores challenges faced during the Great Leap Forward, political conflicts, historiography on inflated grain yields, Mao's leadership nuances, critique of historical narratives, youth movements, factional conflicts, and the rise and fall of the Shanghai Commune.
The Great Leap Forward aimed to increase agricultural productivity through collectivization and cooperatives, driving industrial development.
Bureaucratic distortions and exaggerated reports of grain yields during The Great Leap Forward exacerbated food shortages, highlighting inefficiencies.
The Cultural Revolution was not just about power consolidation but reflected broader societal aspirations for participatory governance and revolutionary change.
Challenges during the Cultural Revolution, including excessive criticisms and violence, underscore the complexities and nuances of history.
Deep dives
The Evolution of Agricultural Collectivization in China
The Great Leap Forward in China culminated a process of agricultural collectivization initiated with land reform in 1948. Land was redistributed among the agricultural proletariat, aiming to transform agriculture into socialist production. The process involved cooperatives and eventually larger-scale communes, all aimed at increasing productivity and generating surplus for industrial investment. The Great Leap Forward, starting in the late 1950s, sought to further drive agricultural productivity, contributing to industrial development.
Challenges and Consequences of the Great Leap Forward
The Great Leap Forward faced serious challenges, including adverse weather conditions in 1959 disrupting agricultural production. Bureaucratic distortions in reporting grain yields led to exaggerated figures, impacting procurement and distribution. The resulting food shortages and politicized reporting exacerbated the situation, leading to significant human casualties. The episode highlighted issues of bureaucratic inefficiencies and the need for more accurate reporting within the socialist economic structure.
Transition into the Cultural Revolution
After addressing the aftermath of the Great Leap Forward, Chairman Mao initiated the Socialist Education Movement in 1963 to investigate party behaviors and interactions with the masses. The movement revealed issues of commandism and bureaucratization within the party leadership, fostering Mao's concern for closer ties between the masses and the party. The subsequent Cultural Revolution in 1966 was driven by Mao's push to empower the masses to supervise and guide the party, emphasizing the need for direct oversight and grassroots involvement in decision-making processes.
Dispelling Misconceptions about Mao and the Cultural Revolution
Misconceptions about Mao solely consolidating power through the Cultural Revolution are debunked as simplistic narratives. Claims suggesting Mao's actions were for personal power consolidation ignore the widespread resonance of his concerns among the population. The Cultural Revolution was not just about political machinations at the top, but a complex movement reflecting broader societal issues and aspirations for participatory governance and revolutionary change.
Challenges and Excesses During China's Cultural Revolution
During the Cultural Revolution in China, there were challenges such as criticisms of the 'four olds' leading to excesses including superficial critiques of appearance and traditions. This phase lasted for a few months and included violence and unrest. Additionally, some criticism sessions spiraled out of control, resulting in unnecessary beatings and deaths. Acknowledging these events is crucial to understanding the complexities and nuances of history.
Geopolitical Shifts and Leadership Struggles
Significant geopolitical shifts influenced the leadership dynamics in China, with Lin Biao disagreeing with Chairman Mao's reassessment focusing on the Soviet Union as a greater threat than the United States. Lin Biao's sudden demise in a plane crash under mysterious circumstances marked a turning point. Chairman Mao's declining health and the emergence of pragmatic voices like Deng Xiaoping added layers of complexity to leadership struggles.
Transition following Chairman Mao's Passing
Following the death of key figures like Lin Biao and Chairman Mao, the future leadership of China became uncertain. The Gang of Four, closely aligned with Mao, advocated for ultra-left positions, while Deng Xiaoping emerged as a pragmatist. These post-Mao years saw contentious debates, including two-line struggles within the party, setting the stage for the transition towards reforms and modernization.
Implications of Leadership Changes and Reform Era
The resolution of leadership struggles post-Mao's passing impacted China's future direction, setting the stage for reforms and modernization. Deng Xiaoping's pragmatic approach contrasted with the ultra-left positions of the Gang of Four, ushering in a phase of ideological transformation and socio-political shifts. This period laid the groundwork for China's evolution in the late 20th century.
In this episode of Guerrilla History, we get into part 3 of our 4 part miniseries on modern Chinese history featuring Ken Hammond (and guest host Breht O'Shea of Revolutionary Left Radio) with an amazing discussion of The Great Leap Forward and The Cultural Revolution! If you haven't already listened to part 1 of the series, on the Taiping and Boxer Rebellions, or part 2 on The Chinese Revolution & Civil War, be sure to go back and check those out because we pick up right where we left off last time. With these final two episodes in the series, we enter the period where various ideological traditions diverge in their analysis of the events, but regardless of what ideological background you come from, we encourage you to listen to these and engage with the information, as we believe the information will help you deepen your own analysis regardless of your ideological position.
Ken Hammond is Professor of East Asian and Global History at New Mexico State University. He has been engaged in radical politics since his involvement in the anti-war movement at Kent State in 1968-70. Ken is also the author of the book China’s Revolution & the Quest for a Socialist Future.
