Seen in this light today, we can see that Mao’s appeal was on many levels. His credentials as a revolutionary spoke for themselves. His utopian dreams, which chimed with ancient currents of Chinese thought, were at first hugely popular among the lower classes who had always been downtrodden. He came to power after a long period of ‘national humiliation’ and the breakdown of the modern state, so strong rule was much desired. In that light, the adoration of Mao can be understood.
