Revealed The Untold Stories of Mao in Volume 8 of His Epic Biography

Mao Zedong’s Call for a Nationwide Technological Revolution in 1960

By [Your Name]

Introduction:

In the midst of theGreat Leap Forward, a period marked by ambitious economic reforms and social upheaval, Mao Zedong, the Chairman of the Communist Party of China, issued a powerful call for anationwide technological revolution. This call, delivered through a series of directives and speeches in 1960, aimed to harness the collective ingenuity of the Chinese peopleto drive industrial growth and modernize the nation. This article delves into the context and content of Mao’s call, examining its significance in shaping China’s industrial development and its legacy in the decades that followed.

Mao’sVision for a Technological Revolution:

On March 18, 1960, Mao Zedong issued a directive to the Central Committee of the Communist Party, forwarding two reports on the progress of technical innovation and revolution. These reports, compiled by the All-China Federation of Trade Unions, highlighted the successes of technical innovation initiatives in major cities like Shanghai, Tianjin, and Shenyang. Mao, however, saw this as just the beginning. He stressed the need to expand these efforts to encompass all cities, including provincial capitals, medium-sized cities, and even county and commune-level industries.

In his directive, Mao emphasized the importance of summarizing and disseminating best practices, ensuring that the movement for technical innovation was guided by scientific principles and embraced by the entire population. He criticized the lack of inclusivity in a recent conference on technical innovation, lamenting that major cities like Wuhanand Guangzhou were excluded, hindering the widespread dissemination of knowledge.

Beyond Industry: A Focus on Public Health:

Mao’s vision for a technological revolution extended beyond industrial production. He also issued a directive on public health, recognizing its crucial role in national development. In this directive, he acknowledged the challenges faced bythe healthcare system due to the focus on production during the Great Leap Forward. He emphasized the need to prioritize public health, calling for a balanced approach that integrated healthcare with industrial development.

The Legacy of Mao’s Call:

Mao’s call for a nationwide technological revolution had a profound impact on China’sindustrial development. It spurred a wave of innovation and technical advancements, particularly in the fields of steel production, machinery, and agriculture. The movement also fostered a culture of collective problem-solving and encouraged the participation of ordinary citizens in the modernization process.

However, the call for a technological revolution was also intertwined with the political andeconomic pressures of the Great Leap Forward. The emphasis on rapid industrialization and the pursuit of ambitious production targets led to a focus on quantity over quality, resulting in significant economic setbacks and social unrest.

Conclusion:

Mao Zedong’s call for a nationwide technological revolution in 1960 stands as a testamentto his unwavering belief in the potential of the Chinese people to drive national progress. While the movement faced challenges and ultimately fell short of its ambitious goals, it laid the foundation for China’s subsequent industrialization and technological development. The legacy of Mao’s call continues to resonate in China’s pursuit of technological innovation and itsambition to become a global leader in science and technology.

References: