In the late 1950s Mao Zedong's political thought underwent a radicalization process brought about by a number of forces affecting Chinese society. This radicalization process would also have profound consequences for the development of political thought and action in China over the next decade or more.
The Chinese Revolution in 1949 altered the structure of Chinese society both in the immediate by shifting from the previous regime to a Communist system and in the long term in efforts to alter the degree to which Chinese traditions would be followed or changed. After the Revolution, efforts at changing society were undertaken in a more methodical and all-inclusive manner, and many traditional institutions were either dismantled, prohibited, or downgraded in the effort to modernize and to bring about a new political and social attitude on the part of the people. These efforts had varying results and were of varying degrees of effectiveness. Some traditional institutions persisted in spite of Communist efforts to stamp them out, while other areas of the society were changed completely. The regime faced certain fundamental needs in 1949 that helped determine what order would be taken in making changes in Chinese society, and the most pressing need was for economic development and particularly industrialization. It was in fact one of the primary reasons for the Revolution itself. The strategy undertaken was known as "self-reliance" as the industrial development, which has been substantial since 1949, was financed by China herself. The CCP believed that a strong state could usher in strong economic development, and this was the approach taken. China has followed different models of development during the history of the present system in trying to cope with the problems encountered. Certain traditional practices were eliminated by law, such as the excessive domination of men over women which was outlawed in a new marriage law. ...