According to the Collins Concise Dictionary, a terrorist can be defined as, 'one who governs by terrorism or intimidation.' Mao Zedong can be described as a terrorist to a reasonable extent because despite his good intentions in the bigger picture, he employed drastic methods to bring about his aims. He destroyed many families by launching mass campaigns to root out traitors and corruption, as well as launching the Cultural Revolution which tortured and killed thousands of innocents. In addition to this he made large mistakes which cost the lives of millions of people, such as in his "Giant Leap Forward" campaign. However, Mao Zedong's intentions were always for the greater good of China and through his time in power, Mao raised China from being a broken feudal society into a united world force.
Mao launched several mass campaigns to find traitors and corruption when he became leader of the People's Republic of China because he feared enemy infiltration.
English: Mao's official portrait at Tiananmen gate...
English: Mausoleum of Mao Zedong, Beijing, China E...
Pictured here is former Chinese Chairman Mao Zedon...He launched several campaigns including the "Three-Anti" and "Five-Anti" which involved intense investigation into people's personal lives, few Chinese citizens were left untouched. Many families were destroyed because the citizens had no rights and whatever Mao considered unlawful was correct, those who rebelled were executed.
In the Cultural Revolution between 1966 and 1976, Mao Zedong used his Red Gaurds to forcefully demote the 'upper class' to participate in 'countryside labour'. He was concerned that a new class of mandarins was emerging in China who had no idea about the lifestyle of a normal person in China. For this reason, nearly all 'intellectuals,' (consisting of engineers, technicians, scientists and other professionals) were demoted to rural labour camps. Virtually all schools, colleges and universities were closed and those who resisted were tortured or killed.
In 1958, Mao introduced the "Giant Leap Forward" plan...