Mao's Legacy
Mao is revered by the Chinese people today, who recognize his contribution in the advancement of China. Many of his less successful policies are glossed over. He's often compared to a strict father who knew what was best for his children, but maybe used a little tough love in the process. Indeed, he's often referred to as the "Founding Father of Modern China".
He succeeded in bringing unity and stability to a divided country ravaged by warlords and foreign invaders. He raised the life expectancy from 35 to 63 over just twenty years. He promoted the status of women, rid China of its feudal tendencies, which benefitted the poor, achieved some industrialization, and improved literacy rates. Also, he established many of the powers still used by the PRC today.
In the West, he is often viewed negatively, associated with tyranny and terror. The failures of the Great Leap Forward and Cultural Revolution are often cited by those who oppose his policies. Additionally, many Capitalists, particularly during the Cold War, reviled his Socialist policies.
Portrait of Chairman Mao in Tiananmen Square.
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