To What Extend are the Chinese Views of Mao truthful?

In China, Mao is more than a role model. Mao was often compared to the first Emperor of China who had united the 7 warring kingdoms in troubled times. Because of this, for the Chinese people, Mao symbolizes power, culture and unity. Contrary to this, Western Society believes that Mao was a dictator who was responsible for the death of 49-78,000,000 people during Mao’s reign: 38,000,000 from famine in the Great Leap Forward, 28,000,000 in the LaoGai Camps and 3,000,000 counterrevolutionaries’ participants. [1] Since there is such a difference in the opinions, it makes you wonder is there truth in the contradicting views of Mao.

In China Mao was often seen as a militaristic leader who united China using clever strategic plans, whilst under times of turmoil. It is hard to argue against as I believe that it is almost true. Under Mao, there was the success of the Long March, triumphing in the Second Sino-Japanese war, Sino-Indian War and lastly the victory over the Nationalist Party. It makes me think: is it really possible for one man to do all that?

For example on The Long March It was said that it was Mao’s Idea; Mao led the way, Mao who encouraged the marchers and so on. On the contrary, it was said he stayed way behind the front lines when there was fighting. Plus, it was Otto Braun (a Russian agent)’s idea to do a full scale retreat to Yan’an where the Chinese Communist’s Part Second Army was to be based. Retreat was the complete opposite of Mao’s plans which was to attack the Kuomintang. Despite this, I still think that, Mao is a militaristic leader, schemer and tactician. Even though the Long March was not his idea, he soon had control over the planning after the failings of Braun which resulted in the death of 14,000 soldiers. He must have been highly regarded to have been handed the fates of