Mao's maintenance Propaganda, Legal Methods, Force, Leadership,

Little Red Book (1964) "Propaganda"

Quotations from Mao’s speeches distributed widely (750 million copies); reinforced Mao’s ideology and cult of personality during the Cultural Revolution.

Lin Biao's Cult of Mao (1960s) "Propaganda"

Lin Biao promoted Mao as China's savior; flooded public spaces with Mao’s image, slogans, and songs.

August Rally (1966) "Propaganda"

1 million youth gathered in Tiananmen Square to cheer Mao, solidifying his god-like status during the Cultural Revolution.

Attack on the Four Olds (1966) "Propaganda"

Mao encouraged youth to destroy old thoughts, culture, habits, and customs; framed as revolutionary purification.

Mao's Picture Everywhere (1960s) "Propaganda"

Mao’s image and words dominated Chinese life, reinforcing his infallibility and leadership.

Anti-Rightist Campaign (1957) "Legal Methods"

After the 100 Flowers Campaign, Mao arrested critics, labeling them 'rightists', and sent them to labor camps (laogai).

Laogai Prison System (1949-76) "Legal Methods"

Network of labor camps with over 10 million prisoners annually and 25 million deaths; used for re-education through labor and forced compliance.

Structure of the PRC Government (1949) "Legal Methods"

One-party state with CCP control over elections and government structure; no opposition allowed, ensuring Mao's dominance.

Anti-Movements (1950s) "Legal Methods"

Targeted corruption, tax evasion, and waste; citizens were encouraged to inform on each other, creating fear and compliance.

Reunification Campaigns (1950) "Legal Methods"

Purportedly for improving local conditions, but legally justified PLA deployment to Tibet, Xinjiang, Guangdong to suppress dissent.

PLA Reunification Campaigns (1950) "Force"

Military operations enforced martial law in Tibet, Xinjiang, and Guangdong, crushing independence movements.

Red Guards (1966-76) "Force"

Mobilized youth militias to attack intellectuals and Party officials during the Cultural Revolution; destroyed cultural heritage.

Cleansing the Class Ranks (1968-71) "Force"

PLA squads replaced Red Guards, purging 'counter-revolutionaries' with mass killings and torture.

Laogai Prison System (1949-76) "Force"

Used physical force and psychological torture in prison camps to break down prisoners and enforce conformity.

Suppression of Liu Shaoqi and Deng Xiaoping (1966-69) "Force"

High-ranking officials were publicly humiliated, imprisoned, or sent to labor, crushing potential rivals.

Great Famine (1958-62) "Force"

Despite famine (40 million deaths), Mao continued collectivization, blaming local officials; protests crushed by force.

Up to the Mountains, Down to the Villages Campaign (1967-72) "Force"

12 million youths relocated to rural areas to prevent unrest; faced harsh living conditions and starvation.

Control of the Politburo (1949-76) "Leadership"

Mao held ultimate power over the Politburo, even when absent; no policy could pass without his approval.

Great Leap Forward (1958-62) "Leadership"

Mao launched rapid industrialization to bypass Soviet models, leading to famine but maintained leadership unchallenged.

Cultural Revolution (1966-76) "Leadership"

Mao returned to political dominance by launching a purge of Party, government, and people to destroy opposition.

Peng Dehuai Purge (1959) "Leadership"

Mao silenced Peng Dehuai, who criticized famine conditions, reinforcing Mao's untouchable status.

Mao’s Withdrawal and Return (1959-66) "Leadership"

Mao stepped back post-famine but returned with the Cultural Revolution to reassert dominance.

Fear of Factions (1966) "Leadership"

Mao feared Party factions forming against him, prompting preemptive purges to maintain control.