One of the most beneficial policies of Mao's regime was to strengthen China's defenses through the acquisition of nuclear weaponry. Mao wanted to obtain nuclear weapons because of the impending threat from the United States; he also believed China could win a nuclear war. The development of nuclear weapons was given high priority by both central and local governments. Between 1955 and 1958, China worked along side the Soviet Union to develop nuclear technology; they signed many documents with the USSR which ensured they would help China. For example, the New Defense Technical Accord of 1957 is where the Soviet Union agreed to supply China with prototype atomic bombs and missiles, as well as technical data. However, once Khrushchev rose to power rose to power there was serious political division between Moscow and Beijing. As a result, China was left alone during its quest to develop nuclear weapons. On October 16, 1964, China detonated its first successful atomic bomb without assistance from the Soviet Union. However, Beijing said they would never be the first country to use nuclear weapons against an enemy; this policy became known "the no first use policy."
"Ripple" EFFECTS OF MAO'S REGIME
Mao nationalized industry as part of his Communist Ideology. He organized workers into groups where they were forced to work towards a specific goal. All opposition to his proclamations was brutally suppressed which indicated a significant loss of political rights to the Chinese people. Also, Mao created a policy known as the "Great Leap Forward." It intended to mass mobilize labor in order to boost agricultural and industrial production. The policy backfired, agricultural production decline and millions of people died due to famine and the effects of poverty, leaving a mark on Mao's reputation. In order to boost his approval, Mao initiated the "Cultural Revolution" of 1966. As part of his initiative, Mao attempted to rid China of "impure elements" in order to improve China's national ethos. This policy also backfired, leading to a period of instability across China. As a result, about 500,000 Chinese people died and a significant amount of China's heritage was destroyed.
BY: MATT STANISZEWSKI, MANAS RAJASAGI, YASH PALKHIWALA, JAMES DIPAOLO, THOMAS DEFANT, KYLE MCILROY AND PETER CUETARA