What were the social and political structures of the first 17 years of the People’s Republic, and what was Mao trying to change in the Cultural Revolution?
The struggle between communists and bourgeoisie profoundly marked the first 17 years of the People’s Republic of China. Over the years, party membership was characterized by young people who did not know the principle of Marxism- Leninism.
Thus, the period was characterized by a dictatorship by communist parties as well as the establishment of distinct classes. However, with the rise of communism, which was led by individuals who knew the world, victory was being won on the extinction of classes, parties as well as the abolition of dictatorship structures. This means that, in the quest to build a better Republic of China, the communists were working towards enhancing conditions that will altogether abolish the present unfavorable structures. Though faced with foreign aggression, China was able to adopt the Marxist—Leninism as their primary weapon, which saw China developing its structures rather than relying on the international dominance, thus fostering unity among the people of China and externally, earning the Republic of China respect. Mao Zedong, though appreciating the government’s contribution to the people, perceived some forms of contradictions. The main aim of Mao Zedong, as he said, was to remove the poisonous weeds from the flowers, thus building a cultural revolution aimed at evicting those who supported the older structures of the government to preserve communism.
How to understand the culture in the Cultural Revolution?
During this period, culture was understood based on what united people, what was beneficial, what strengthened the people’s democracy, what made democracy stronger, what strengthened communist party leadership, and what could achieve international unity. Thus, the cultural revolution could be understood through the adoption of criticism criteria by the majority of people hence being able to understand what is viable in terms of aesthetics and arts as well as the science surrounding the political activities.