Fall of Lin Biao

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Explain why Lin Biao fell from power in 1971. (12) Lin Biao was officially named as Mao’s successor, but shortly after this was declared Chairman Mao Zedong was beginning to doubt Lin Biao’s ambitions with the CPC as he criticised the PLA for “carelessness” and “arrogance” when they purged several party cadres. Plus, Mao was concerned as he thought that Chinese society was under military control and became increasingly worried that Lin would use his military power to establish a military dictatorship leading him to view Biao as a potential Chinese Bonaparte. This is when it could be argued that this was the first step in Lin Biao’s fall from power, as the Chairman viewed him as a threat and was concerned that he wouldn’t carry on Communist values and Mao’s legacy, yet he would create a new dictatorship in China that wouldn’t focus on Mao’s ideology and policies. Mao’s concern over Lin’s ambitions made their relationship weaker but grow with concern and rivalry, which eventually led to his fall from successor. Lin Biao’s fall from power increased when he and Mao started disagreeing on policies in 1970. Both had different views surrounding whether Mao should abolish the post of State Chairman in which Lin Biao tried to persuade him to keep the position in the CPC. Mao became even more suspicious of Lin Biao’s ambitions as Biao was normally passive and compliant towards Mao, which led Mao to believe that Lin wanted to become this position himself. This alerted Mao as he thought if Lin achieved this power within the hierarchy of the CPC, it would leave him on the sidelines and would hinder Mao’s image of a powerful leader of China. This contributed to his fall as Mao was worried that Biao may gain more power than him, that would make Mao look weak which could’ve hindered his image of a strong, admired and respected power. Additionally, Mao was worried that without
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