Background

• Political aspect: Power struggle

  • The Great Leap Forward disrupted the national economy greatly, and caused millions of deaths due to famines.
  • Mao was forced to hand over the responsibilities of handling state affairs and hand over the economic development to Liu Shaoqi and Deng Xiaoping.
• Political aspect: Power struggle

  • Mao disagreed with Liu, who stated that the great famines were '70% man-made with 30% attributed to natural causes'.
  • Therefore, Mao wanted to remove Liu from power and regain control over the country's administration.
• Social aspect: Pursuit of socialism

  • After the failures of the Great Leap Forward, CPC leaders such as Liu Shaoqi and Deng Xiaoping believed that the provision of material incentives (such as bonuses and larger private plots) was necessary for economic recovery.
  • They also felt that China should allow the rise of an elite class of scientists, managers, engineers and technicians for stimulating industrial growth.
• Social aspect: Pursuit of socialism

  • Mao disagreed with the rise of an elite class of this kind.
  • He thought that the Communist Party must avoid the emergence of a privileged class who would exploit the workers.
  • He maintained that the running and planning of factories should be led by the workers rather than experts and technicians.
• Social aspect: Pursuit of socialism

  • In the eyes of Mao, Liu and Deng were leading China back to the road of capitalism.
  • He, therefore, decided to initiate a power struggle to purge the capitalist roaders in authority within the party.