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Mao zedong's rule over china

Reece reuter

Lenses

Mao & lenses

In order to interpret the subject of Mao Zedong, it is imporant to utilize historical lenses. Historical lenses are the approach to perspectives that authors and writers choose to "see the lens through". In the subject of Mao Zedong, and through research, three historical lenses of focus throughout will be the Poltical Lens, Economic Lens, and Social Lens. By applying the actions of Mao and looking through each of the lenses, there is a detailed approach to aspects of the topic.

Political lens approach

You could easily apply the poitical approach to the entire topic of Mao. Mao was a Chinese revolutionist. Mao was the leader of the Chinese Communist party from 1935 to his death in 1979, and served as the Chairman of the PRC (People's Republic of China) from 1949 to 1959 (Btitanica, 2021). Through his time atop the political ladder, he implemented many strict polices such as censorship of many citizens. The political lens would absolutely be used by many historians who could approach their research on many things such as Mao's rise into power, his philosphies and influences in the communist party, and the many extreme rules and laws that he had created.

Political

Great Famine in China 1958.

economic

The economic lens may be applied more frequently throughout history than many realize. An economic approach to history is crucail to many historians and economists alike. Under Mao, China was scarce of resources and as of a result of changing economic structiure was the Great Famine of 1958 to 1962 (Zhou, 2012). Under any great regime is a strong and supporting economy. Mao had been a primary cause of the millions of deaths. This is why looking through the economic lens is key for investigations.

Economic Lens Approach

social lens

Social

The Social Lens is one that anyone can relate to. The Social Lens looks through interactions between individuals. By looking into individual interaction amongst citizens in China, or relationships between citizens in China and their government, gives us a chance to place oursleves in the shoes of these citizens. Many writers, poets, authors, actors, etc., were affected in their day to day lives beacuse of Mao's impact, and their interactions changed when the Mao regime was in command. "Mao used the concept of "socialist reconstruction" to control thought, education, and individual expression" (Jiang, 2012).

applying the lens

Historical narratives

Approach to the historical narrative will obviously change based on which lens is selected. The Political Lens fits best with the overall topic of Mao Zedong's Rule over China. Poltics can be very biased depending on who is telling the story, and who is presenting the information. The narrative will change within the Political Lens view when a presenter is trying to persuade an audience on one side of the political spectrum or another. There may not even necessarily be a motive for persuasion, but a writer's personal bias can still show. Analyzing Mao's implemenatation of laws is going to anchor different and varying opinions if a communist and a capitalist were to write a paper on the same law. However, the law itself and implementation of the law from Mao will not change. Although the facts of the situation remain the same, the conclsuions may very...

Conclusions about lenses

As we had discussed, not all versions of written information like books and articles will take the same stances. Understanding the primary lens in use gives the reader background about the author's approach and purpose. The "teller" of the story or piece of reading, text, etc., will cite sources and provide the reader with textual evidence and information. History can be proven with evidence. An author's opinion is not. Coming to a conclusion is reached when there is enough evidence backing up an original thesis. It is up to the reader to determine if they agree or disagree. History is meant to be interpreted after a display of factual content.

Telling of history

Conclusions

Quote

Quotes are apart of history, Whether a historian agrees on the quote or interprets it in a strange way, the quote is still a quote. "In the world today all culture, all literature and art belong to definite classes and are geared to definite political lines. There is in fact no such thing as art for art's sake, art that stands above classes, art that is detached from or independent of politics. Proletarian literature and art are part of the whole proletarian revolutionary cause; they are, as Lenin said, cogs and wheels in the whole revolutionary machine" (Tse-Tung, 1942). This quote supports my thesis that Mao Zedong was an oppressive leader. I have interpreted it as another way Mao did not allow creative citizens such as authors to speak out unless they supported Mao's political ideas. This quote is up for open interpretation, whether or not Mao said this, is not. The quote is in fact apart of history.

Contemporary issues

When studying events that take place in the past there is always a modern contemporary issue that can correlate with the research topic. This is especially true when looking through the Political Lens on a topic. Mao Zedong was a harsh leader. His citizens were under tight control. Although Americans are far better off, and the comparison is not to the exact degree, we often see the creation of law or executive order issued in order for one party to strengthen its own agenda. Mao would not let citizens speak out in any capacity because it did not benefit his party's political agenda. This did not help or aid the country. In modern times, the division between the two American parties has never been greater. Instead of placing emphasis on self party interest, American administration could use Mao's rule and lack of development as the basis of keeping citizens interest over self gain and party development.

Value of history

mao zedong

Does history repeat itself?

Opinion

Yes, history repeats itself. History is studied and researched so extensivley because of what it can teach us. Just like previously mentioned, Mao Zedong through the political lens can give futher insight on the many formations and divides of parties throughout history. History does not literaly repeat in the sense that Mao Zedong will return some day to restablish his reign over China. It means that situations in the past will repeat themselves in similar manners. This can give humans a redeeming quality. If we study an event in history such as the atomic bomb dropping in WWII, and one day are faced with a similar world altering decision, we will use our knowledge of the past to guide us to the best decisons in the future. To ignore lessons of history would be ignorant.

Should we be aware of history?

Yes again. If every citizen holds up their own civiv duty, the world be a better place. Being aware to the past is no different than being aware in the present. With knowledge of the past comes awareness in the present. We learn from our mistakes and build off our gains. There is a lesson to be learned in all aspects of all events in history. Some are good lessons, some are bad. But by stududying these events and understanding why they happened, gets us closer to where we need to be. If every single person in the world did this, imagine the decisons we would be making and the evidence we are aware of to back these decisons.

personal obligation

References

Encyclopedia Britannica, inc. (2021). Mao Zedong. Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved October

11, 2021, from https://www.britannica.com/biography/Mao-Zedong.

Zhou, X. (2012). The Great Famine in China, 1958-1962: A documentary history. Yale University Press.

Jiang, Y. (2012). Chinese anger at the label of censorship. Cyber-Nationalism in China, 63–76. https://doi.org/10.1017/upo9780987171894.006

Talks at the Yenan Forum on Literature and art. (1942). Selected Works of Mao Tse-Tung, Vol.

III, pg. 86. https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-08-022982-9.50010-2

Sources

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