How Was The American Revolution Influenced By Economic And Social Factors
Economic and social factors could be said to have played a prominent role in the coming to power of Mao, in that discontent was heavily influenced by peasants’ extremely poor economic situations as a result of both inflation and exploitation, which generated animosity towards the upper classes and hence the entire feudalistic system, as well as giving Mao an opportunity to appeal to the desperation of the peasants, for whom the prospect of his leadership in their eyes promised an infinitely more just and financially stable life. However many of the economic and social factors were a result of other, perhaps more heavily contributing factors such as the devastation brought upon China were primarily a result of the civil war in which they had
…show more content…
The stark differences between Mao’s regime and the social structure under which peasants were living made them increasingly opposed to the nationalist government. Mao ensured the red army had a code of conduct toward the ordinary Chinese people and basic medical services and education services were provided. Peasants’ living and working conditions were also improved, in conjunction with the ending of usury, and hence the betterment of their financial standing. Not only did this improve the peasants views toward Mao but could have also meant that those who supported him were able to become more fundamental and economically advantaged citizens in society. Naturally, the appeal of Mao and what he had achieved in some areas created further antipathy towards the upper classes and a willingness to follow Mao in an almost unquestioning fashion. Peasants were encouraged by Mao to seize land from their landowners, particularly in Jiangxi where richer neighbours and landlords beaten or even murdered, this allowed Mao to eliminate the social class that was most likely to oppose his rule, as well as give the peasants confidence as to the superiority of the regime due to the betterment of their lives, all the while incriminating himself as little as possible, and maintaining the appearance of a heavily relatable leader from a similarly poor background as to those he was attempting to lead. However, the social conditions are merely exploited my Mao’s character and, in and of themselves, would be unlikely to lead to Mao coming to power, had Mao had weak ideological features, and not offered communism as an opportunity for a complete restructuring of social hierarchy, it is possible that Mao would not have come to power. However, alternatively the desperation of their situation may have resulted in even a weak
The stark differences between Mao’s regime and the social structure under which peasants were living made them increasingly opposed to the nationalist government. Mao ensured the red army had a code of conduct toward the ordinary Chinese people and basic medical services and education services were provided. Peasants’ living and working conditions were also improved, in conjunction with the ending of usury, and hence the betterment of their financial standing. Not only did this improve the peasants views toward Mao but could have also meant that those who supported him were able to become more fundamental and economically advantaged citizens in society. Naturally, the appeal of Mao and what he had achieved in some areas created further antipathy towards the upper classes and a willingness to follow Mao in an almost unquestioning fashion. Peasants were encouraged by Mao to seize land from their landowners, particularly in Jiangxi where richer neighbours and landlords beaten or even murdered, this allowed Mao to eliminate the social class that was most likely to oppose his rule, as well as give the peasants confidence as to the superiority of the regime due to the betterment of their lives, all the while incriminating himself as little as possible, and maintaining the appearance of a heavily relatable leader from a similarly poor background as to those he was attempting to lead. However, the social conditions are merely exploited my Mao’s character and, in and of themselves, would be unlikely to lead to Mao coming to power, had Mao had weak ideological features, and not offered communism as an opportunity for a complete restructuring of social hierarchy, it is possible that Mao would not have come to power. However, alternatively the desperation of their situation may have resulted in even a weak