Verified Document

Real Mao Zedong: The Man Essay

Often, he was proven correct in his decisions despite opposition, but his tactics were questionable at the least. The first decade or so of Mao Zedong's rule, as neatly overviewed in the first essay of MacFarquhar's book, paints a picture of Mao that in large measure incorporates both of the extreme visions tat persist about him today. There is the brilliance and wisdom with which many of his decisions are made, tempered by the violence and unilateral nature of many of these same decisions. There is some truth in the belief that such smart and charismatic leadership must have come from a spirit and mind tat at least glimpsed nobility even if it did not possess it; surely, Mao's intention was not pure self-aggrandizement but the further growth of his native country and its people. The excessive zeal with which he pursued this end became the real issue that cast significant shadows on his character. His surety in most matters and his complete domination of the political and military powers led to an often arrogant dismissal of the opinions, needs, and even lives of others, which cannot be considered noble for any end, no matter how many people such acts could serve with good purpose.

Mao did not agree with this standard sentiment, or indeed with the usual way of running things at all. He wanted the government to move as quickly as his own mind did, and this led to many frustrations on his part. A later essay in MacFarquhar's collection of scholarship on Mao and the period of his rule describes his inability -- or more likely, unwillingness -- to accept the fact that bureaucracies, especially those as large as China's national government, move sluggishly, and often with good reason. Though Mao was the very exemplar of determination, he was often somewhat lacking in the attribute of patience required of leaders. This turned...

His impatience was taken -- quite reasonably and correctly -- as evidence of Mao's passion for bringing real change to his country and his fellow countrymen. This passion was contagious, especially for the generation that had grown up under Mao's promises but had failed to see their fruition. It is remarkable that their anger and frustration did not turn against the well-known leader, but rather turned to a support of him -- evidence again of his charisma, his ability to manipulate, and less cynically of his true and perceivable desire to make his country as great as he believed it possibly could be, at any cost.
The image of Mao as he appears today -- and as it can be derived from the various essays contained in MacFarquhar's book -- does not exactly help to determine whether or not Mao was a saint or a villain. The truth about human beings is rarely so simple. Instead, history shows a man with mostly good intentions, who was endowed with extensive gifts to aid him in achieving his goals. Like many men of great ability and great ambition, however, Mao Zedong was quite susceptible to overstepping his bounds and disregarding others. There is something of the saint and the villain in all of us, and a personality and history like Mao's can only serve to magnify all traits of a persona. Like most people, Mao was basically good, but far from being above reproach.

Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Man's Fate Historical Criticism: Man's
Words: 1465 Length: 5 Document Type: Term Paper

At this precise time, a young communist named Mao Zedong popularized the idea of land reforms and focused his attention on the issue of poverty among peasant class. He convinced his fellow communists that the only solution to all problems lied in strengthening the agricultural sector by introducing land reforms. He worked ceaselessly for the peasants but his party was driven to remote corners of North China during the

Marxism History and Ideology. An
Words: 4668 Length: 12 Document Type: Term Paper

During his first few months in Paris, Marx became a communist and put forth his views in a plethora of writings known as the Economic and philosophical Manuscripts, that remained unpublished until the 1930s. It was also in Paris that Marx developed his life long association with Friedrich Engels. (Karl Marx, 1818-1883) At the end of 1844 Marx was debarred from Paris and with Engels migrated to Brussels. In the

Populist-Charismatic Dictators: The Cases of
Words: 3035 Length: 9 Document Type: Term Paper

Ho Chi Minh was for a long time of the most controversial dictators of the world. In this sense, "for westerners Ho Chi Minh has been a figure of some mystery for many years. His death on September 3, 1969 did not end the fascination he holds for people who have found his life enigmatic and his political position unclear." Therefore, it is fair to say that to this day,

Marxist or Neo-Marxist Research Theorist Theory Summary
Words: 580 Length: 2 Document Type: Essay

Marxist or Neo-Marxist Research Theorist Theory Summary Critique of Theory Max Weber According to Max Weber the state is a special entity that possesses a monopoly on the legitimate use of violence. Weber believes politics is a required activity of government used in order to influence and control the relative distribution of force and power in the country. Weber wrote of three main types of authority and political leadership domination that is present in society.

Built Between the U.S.S.R. and China Following
Words: 2448 Length: 9 Document Type: Term Paper

built between the U.S.S.R. And China following World War Two. The writer focuses on the issue of Nuclear technology and the tensions between the two because of it. Stalin, Mao and broken promises are examined and put together in a story of history. There were eight sources used to complete this paper. Currently the world is focused on disarming itself from a nuclear standpoint. America has invaded Iraq on the

Cuba After Castro Cuba Is
Words: 20759 Length: 80 Document Type: Term Paper

Those officials who did look at the question of Japanese intentions decided that Japan would never attack, because to do so would be irrational. Yet what might seem irrational to one country may seem perfectly logical to another country that has different goals, values, and traditions. (Kessler 98) The failures apparent in the onset of World War II and during the course of the war led indirectly to the creation

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now