Discuss the reasons why Mao Zedong launched the Hundred Flowers campaign (1956).

Candidates will offer a considered and balanced review of the reasons why Mao Zedong launched the Hundred Flowers campaign that includes a range of arguments and factors. Candidates may suggest he used repressive campaigns to consolidate his power. Additionally or alternatively, candidates may argue that the First Five-Year Plan influenced him to welcome discussion about China’s progress. Candidates may discuss different historians’ perspectives: Jung Chang contends that it was a trick to weed out potential opposition whereas Feigon believes Mao was initially genuine and Spence argues that his motives were ill defined. While no set response is expected, candidates may choose a chronological or a thematic approach, they must focus on the reasons why Mao launched the campaign.