Mao Zedong led China through a period of turbulent foreign relations with both the United States and the Soviet Union. With a developing concern to become a leading world superpower, Mao Zedong increased China’s nuclear presence while also severing the previously amicable ties with the Soviet Union to become a more independent nation, causing the Sino-Soviet Split. Throughout the second half of the twentieth century, the United States also became increasingly fearful of the threat of Communist China and Mao’s anti-imperialist agenda.
In addition to this, Mao acted as a strong cultural force before, during and after his rule, up to present day, albeit in a less extreme manner. Through his reaching out towards the peasantry and his emphasis on the right to rebel, he created a culture not only around revolutionary communism but around Mao himself. The Chinese in general very much admired Mao, and this became evident as their approval of Mao still persisted even in light of failures of such movements as the Hundred Flowers movement and the Great Leap Forward. The extremity of action seen during the Cultural Revolution is the considered to be the epitome of the 'cult of Mao'. While his portrait is still featured on modern day currency and at Tiananmen Square, it is not likely that the sentiment the Chinese had for Mao will never be matched again. |
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