Mao’s Little Red BookQuotations of Chairman Mao Tsetung
...e book is the justification of violence and force to achieve the goal of transforming China into Communist superpower. “The seizure of power by armed force, the settlement of the issue by war, is the central task and the highest form of revolution. This Marxist-Leninist principle of revolution holds good universally, for China and for all other countries.” “Every Communist must grasp the truth; Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun.” “Revolutionary Forces of the World Unite, Fight against Imperialist Aggression!” (Mao Tsetung) The superiority of Communism and the idea that violence is necessary to achieve the communist vision are emphasized in the selected quotes. Throughout the book Mao appears to true advocate of Marxism, encouraging the widespread education of Marxist belief and in addition emphasizes the idea of class struggle and the need for a revolution. He emphasizes the success of the Soviet Union in many of the quotes and makes it look like the Soviet Union and China are the leaders of this world wide revolution. He also emphasizes the people; a lot of his quotes imply the power of communism springs from the people. Thus the idea of the people’s war is inherent in a lot of his quotes. Mao even gives step by step instructions for how armies should combat their enemies. He emphasizes the idea of sacrifice for the cause and he emphasizes the fact that China’s greatest strength is its great population. “What is a true bastion of iron? It is the masses, the millions upon millions of people who genuinely and sincerely support the revolution. That is the real iron bastion which no force can smash, no force whatsoever.” (Mao Tsetung) However Mao did not only emphasize this concept in war, he applied it to industry and agriculture. “The masses have boundless creative power. They can organize themselves and concentrate on places and branches of work where they can give full play to their energy; they can concentrate on production in breadth and depth and create more and more undertakings for their own well-being.” “The masses are the real heroes, while we ourselves are often childish and ignorant, and without this understanding it is impossible to acquire even the most rudimentary.” Knowledge. Mao defiantly appeals to the people in all ways possible. The idea the masses are the true power source of communist China is emphasized throughout the book. Even when discussing art Mao emphasizes this concept. All our literature and art are for the masses of the people, and in the first place for the workers, peasants and soldiers; they are created for the workers, peasants and soldiers and are for their use. In addition Mao’s depiction of how women should be treated is very liberal. He seems to be a strong advocate for the equality of women. He talks about men dominate women in Chinese society and depicts a vision were all are equal in a communist utopia. “Unite and take part in production and political activity to improve the economic and political status of women.” However the communist vision that Mao portrays is intrinsically based on the idea of educating the world about Marxism. “The theory of Marx, Engels, Lenin and Stalin is universally applicable. We should regard it not as a dogma, but as a guide to action. Studying it is not merely a matter of learning terms and phrases but of learning Marxism-Leninism as the science of revolution. It is not just a matter of understanding the general laws derived by Marx, Engels, Lenin and Stalin from their extensive study of real life and revolutionary experience, but of studying their standpoint and method in examining and solving problems.” As I stated before he emphasizes education but also emphasizes violence to secure the Communist vision Now I will critique Mao’s book. Mao defiantly achieved his aim which was to publish a book that had mass appeal and could be used as propaganda for his cause. Even knowing the real results of the Cultural Revolution, I can understand why this book appealed to the youth and the general population in China. The way in which Mao talks about the masses and the people make him appear to be almost democratic. Throughout the book he emphasizes Marxism and the equality of all under this Utopian system. These quotes definitely give the impression that Mao honestly believed the power of Communist China truly steamed from the people. However scariest theme in his book is the...