give rise to differences among Chinese leaders that can be exploited by Moscow” and “political power acquired by regional and provincial military figures during the Cultural Revolution could threaten centralized direction.” The report concludes that the military problem was the most pressing of Mao’s concerns, and “It was against this background that Mao suddenly departed for the provinces last summer.” The report engages in a psychological and geopolitical analysis of the leader and assumes Mao’s top two preoccupations: “ideological carping over the programs necessary for modernization. There is no evidence that the Chairman is especially troubled by health problems.” The report asks, “What was the issue that caused Mao to sulk in his tent?”

“There are serious problems with these interpretations. The report addresses Mao’s absence from the 1975 National People’s Congress in Beijing and the hypothesis that Mao could be sick. (National Archives Identifier 1561346) CIA Report on Mao Zedong. Almost 20 years later, in 1993, the CIA declassified it however, some portions are still redacted, even one of the most important details: the author. A year and a half before his death, in February 1975, a secret report titled “ Mao’s Position-An Assessment” was created, theorizing on the health and actions of the Chinese leader. Mao’s every move was tracked both at home in China and abroad, and when he failed to show up to events, speculation abounded about his health. In the years just before his death, Mao’s health rapidly deteriorated, and his condition soon became a state secret.

Exterior view of the Great Hall of the People at night with an illuminated portrait of Mao Zedong. He was the founder of the People’s Republic of China, ideological leader of Maoism, revolutionary, and Chairman of the Chinese Communist Party. Today’s post comes from Callie Belback from the National Archives History Office.Īmong the 20th century’s most famous political leaders, Mao Zedong still fascinates fellow politicians, scholars, historians, and students.

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