n is what many believe set China back in its national development. The leader at the time was Chairman Mao Zedong. He believed that with human willpower and effort China would overcome all obstacles. The government tried to increase the number of workers and their hours but did not pay close attention to the lack of capital and modern technology (Wakeman et al 37). The industry business was making its laborers work extra shifts and their machinery was rarely maintained.
This five-year plan was said to have shattered China's economy. In the following years China suffered a severe economic depression, food shortages, and a huge loss in
industrial output. The economy did recover. "However, the Chinese had not solved the problem of achieving economic growth while maintaining revolutionary values" (Wakeman et al 37). The two forces within the Communists Party, the moderates and the radicals had a major split in what to do next. The radicals wanted a classless society to be achieved first while the moderates stressed economic development.
"In 1966, Mao Zedong gave his support to the radicals in the Communist Party and ushered in what Zedong called the Cultural Revolution " (Wakeman 38). The radicals removed top officials for not following communist principles. Students and other young people formed a semi-military group called the Red Guards. These groups demonstrated in the major cities against groups whom they called counter-revolutionaries and anti- Maoists (Wakeman et al 38). The universities were closed from 1966- 1970. The radicals had taken con
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