Meet Mao Hero or Villain Which is Which

Meet Mao Hero or Villain?

Which is Which: • What are traits/characteristics of a Hero?

How about a Villain? • Are they same? Which are different?

So Then What is the Difference? • Some might say motivation. • Some might say intention.

Mao Zedong • Gets his start as the most misunderstood type of all… • He was a teacher – In 1919 he supported Chinese rule for China after WW 1. – Argument had 2 sides, communists and nationalists

Communism V Nationalism • Define each: • Nationalists want a nation based on self rule (G. Princip) in the interests of its people. • Communists want communal ownership of institutions, and worker rule. (Russia)

The Two Sides in China • Nationalists: Led by Jiang Jieshi • Wanted : -No foreign control -Democracy -$ stability Had the support of middle class and educated types Feared Russian type-control Used Russian type tactics • Communists: Led by Mao Zedong • Wanted: - Chinese Control - Communism - $ Stability • Spoke for the peasants of China.

Heroic Words? • The force of the peasantry is like that of the raging winds and driving rain. It is rapidly increasing in violence. No force can stand in its way. The peasantry will tear apart all nets which bind it and hasten along the road to liberation. They will bury beneath them all forces of imperialism, militarism, corrupt officialdom, village bosses and evil gentry. - MZ

Mao’s Rise • He won the support of the peasants and the Civil War. He promised these things – Food – Literacy.

• Mao stretches out a little. • Mongolia first, then Tibet, then part of India. Elbow Room

What To Do W/ Land? • Mao redistributes land to the farmers. 10% controlled 70% land. Mao gives it back. Landlords that resisted were killed. (only a million or so) Collective Farms created: some nudging required.

5 Year Plan • Mao set goals for business and industry. • Four years later- Coal, Cement, and electricity 2 X. Steel 4 X

Great Leap Forward • Collectives turned into Communes. • Communes = Larger farms that were 100% communal. Living, working, raising kids everyone did everything. No ownership. • Nature takes its toll: Bad plan + bad weather = bad crops = Starvation of 30 million in 3 years.

Mao Changes Gears • Mao steps back for a sec after the Great Leap. In his absence, China goes a little soft. • Red Guards – Mao inspires High School/College kids to renew Revolution. Mao’s Little Red Book

Cultural Revolution • The Red Guards began a wave of terror called the Cultural Revolution – Artists and Intellectuals were seen as wasteful and dangerous – They attacked and shut down schools

Your Assignment • Tomorrow we try Mao in court. • Tonight you will go home and research an event from either the “Mao-is-a-villain” perspective or the “Leave-Mao-alone” side. • You will also have a group of Primary Source readings for Mao for HW

The Indictment: Mao stands accused of crimes against China on 3 counts. Count 1. Official Misconduct – This count alleges he knowingly misused his position to benefit himself at China’s expense during the “Cultural Revolution”. Count 2: Misappropriation of Government Resources: This count alleges he misused money and power given to him during the event called “The Great Leap Forward” Count 3: Felony Murder: This count alleges that, during the commission of the crimes listed above, he caused the deaths of more than 40 million people.

Group 1: Prosecution q You will divide into 3 groups, one for each count of the indictment. q Develop at least 5 Facts to support your position of Mao as guilty for your count. Bring that tomorrow for review by the jury. q Your groups will include 2 Prosecutors and at least 2 “witnesses”. Witnesses will “testify” as to how they were treated by Mao.

Group 2 : Defense Team • Your job? Get Mao acquitted. You will have the same roles as the other team, only in reverse. • Defense Attorneys- 2 per count- you will look up your event and find the “good” in it and look for the technicalities that will let Mao off the hook. • Witnesses- You will testify how Mao helped you with those programs.

Group 3: Jurors • Your job is to come in tomorrow, listen to each side and render a decision. • You will listen to each side, ask any questions and finally you will meet as a group in the hall and write up your verdict to be read by one of your members.