Interview Transcript
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SOURCE:
Phone Interview
March 23th, 2013
Houwen Ma
Chinese History School Teacher/Historian
during the Mao and Deng Era
Phone Interview
March 23th, 2013
Houwen Ma
Chinese History School Teacher/Historian
during the Mao and Deng Era
1.) Specifically, why did Mao end the Cultural Revolution and how?
Mao had finally realized the harm and instabilities the Red Guards were causing to China. Industrialized production had dropped 12% from pre-Cultural Revolution times, in 1966 and the actions and violence of the Red Guards had threatened China's relations with the Soviet Union. Finally, Mao decided it was time to abolish these violent Red Guards, dispersed them all over the country and controlled them with the army.
2.) Can you please explain what the Gang of Four did, who was involved and what happened to them after Mao's death?
The Gang of Four consisted of Mao's wife: Jiang Qing, and 3 others: Yao Wenyuan, Zhang Chunqiao, and Wang Hongwen. They wanted to overthrow leaders like Deng Xiaoping and Liu Shaoqi. They controlled four areas: intellectual education, basic theories in science and technology, teacher-student relations and school discipline, and party policies regarding intellectuals. After the Cultural Revolution declined in popularity, through Mao's support, they maintained their power through the media and propaganda outlets. After Mao's death and the end of the Cultural Revolution, on September 9th 1976, the Gang of Four were tried in court, for sedition, trying to overthrow the government, the death of around 35,000 people, the persecution of leaders, and even plotting to murder Mao himself! They were all found guilty and were jailed.
3.) So Deng Xiaoping recognized the trouble China was in at the time, as many people were still starving and begging for food. However the question is: Why did Deng not just propose the Reform himself?
That is an excellent question. Well you see, Deng Xiaoping did, very much support the proposal to decentralize grain production to the household. But if Deng were to make such a risky venture like that, he would have had a lot of criticism thrown at him for "pursuing the capitalist road" or this and that. This is when Wan Li came to play. He proposed the reforms and Deng Xiaoping fully supported them. That is how Deng Xiaoping got around the strong opposition while also permitting the experimentation of household farming.
4.) Can you please, just very briefly, describe the situation in China's rural areas, in 1978, before the Rural Reforms?
Ah. 1978.....Despite Deng Xiaoping's efforts for Economic Growth, China still did not have enough grain to feed its population.
I think that's it. Thank you very much, Mrs. Ma.
You're very welcome.
Mao had finally realized the harm and instabilities the Red Guards were causing to China. Industrialized production had dropped 12% from pre-Cultural Revolution times, in 1966 and the actions and violence of the Red Guards had threatened China's relations with the Soviet Union. Finally, Mao decided it was time to abolish these violent Red Guards, dispersed them all over the country and controlled them with the army.
2.) Can you please explain what the Gang of Four did, who was involved and what happened to them after Mao's death?
The Gang of Four consisted of Mao's wife: Jiang Qing, and 3 others: Yao Wenyuan, Zhang Chunqiao, and Wang Hongwen. They wanted to overthrow leaders like Deng Xiaoping and Liu Shaoqi. They controlled four areas: intellectual education, basic theories in science and technology, teacher-student relations and school discipline, and party policies regarding intellectuals. After the Cultural Revolution declined in popularity, through Mao's support, they maintained their power through the media and propaganda outlets. After Mao's death and the end of the Cultural Revolution, on September 9th 1976, the Gang of Four were tried in court, for sedition, trying to overthrow the government, the death of around 35,000 people, the persecution of leaders, and even plotting to murder Mao himself! They were all found guilty and were jailed.
3.) So Deng Xiaoping recognized the trouble China was in at the time, as many people were still starving and begging for food. However the question is: Why did Deng not just propose the Reform himself?
That is an excellent question. Well you see, Deng Xiaoping did, very much support the proposal to decentralize grain production to the household. But if Deng were to make such a risky venture like that, he would have had a lot of criticism thrown at him for "pursuing the capitalist road" or this and that. This is when Wan Li came to play. He proposed the reforms and Deng Xiaoping fully supported them. That is how Deng Xiaoping got around the strong opposition while also permitting the experimentation of household farming.
4.) Can you please, just very briefly, describe the situation in China's rural areas, in 1978, before the Rural Reforms?
Ah. 1978.....Despite Deng Xiaoping's efforts for Economic Growth, China still did not have enough grain to feed its population.
I think that's it. Thank you very much, Mrs. Ma.
You're very welcome.