| Mao Zedong was the founder of the People's Republic China. He ruled over China for over twenty-seven years. Chinese society is deeply influenced by Mao. Many social phenomena in today's China are rooted in Mao's influence.; Study of Mao's ideology helps us to understand that influence. My research emphasized the development of Mao's ideology before 1949. After 1949, his supremacy was unchallenged, he became virtually an object of worship and his ideology ceases to be his own. In 1949 he was 56 years old and no longer likely to change.; Mao was educated in traditional Chinese culture but ended up claiming himself a Marxist. This thesis examines how the era of his generation and his experience affected his understanding of traditional culture and Marxism. By examining closely his writings before 1949, we may figure out the real face of his ideology. |
