A Summary Of Zhou Enlai's Toxic Pair
Toxic Pair
The polarizing relationship between Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai was one full of subtle conflict, jealousy, and fear. There is no doubt that the two were, to an extent, very loyal to one another. However, Mao’s undying jealousy of Zhou receiving spotlight led to increasing tensions between the two comrades. Zhou’s increasing wariness of Mao’s capability to make sound political decisions for the country also increased tensions, but not just for the two of them. Their relationship was sometimes explosive, but Mao’s right hand man always covered his tracks when Mao’s temper came into play. If anyone outside his inner circle found out about his temper, Mao’s ability to lead the CCP and the country itself would be called into question. However disputed Zhou’s role in the Cultural cleansing of China, his “servant mentality” is one image that is not disputed …show more content…
throughout history.
Their relationship was unhealthy; Mao being the sadist, dominant, alpha-male and Zhou being the submissive, enabling beta-male. Although, Zhou’s reputation benefited from the apparent contrasts between him and Mao, who loved to thrust himself into the limelight, and never shrank from taking credit for China’s perpetual upheavals. Zhou was far from perfect, but he always looked less demonizing than Mao did, especially in Chinese history. Even after his death, Zhou is still considered a great leader, unlike Mao who is seen as the sadistic dictator that he was, and is still credited to the positive aspects of his time in Mao’s presence. The Chinese do not see Zhou as a monster, but as a hero, who, like many other political leaders, suffered at the hands of Mao, especially in his final days as the Premier, and the final days
of his life.
Traditionally, Zhou is seen as the “great protector” and “beloved premier” but Zhuo’s deep-seated need to affiliate and a deep psychological need to be another leader’s number two clouded his judgement when it came to Mao, and therefore made him less of a “great protector” and more of “the enabler. Zhou had the option of being purged for opposing his leader, but he chose to save his political career, even when he was denied of treatment from Mao for his stomach cancer towards the of the revolution and the end of Zhou‘s life. However, a widely recognized view for Zhou’s continued support for Mao is that Zhou did not have the power that Mao had, and could not be of any major threat to him. Barbara Barnouin continues, however, to assert that not only was history wrong about Zhou being the great protector, but that he was just as much of a monster as Mao was. Zhou was fallible, often devious and capable of great cruelty to his friends and fellow revolutionaries.Zhou continued to support the monster, which subsequently makes Zhou part monster as well, even if he was a closet opposer of Mao.
The polarizing relationship between Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai was one full of subtle conflict, jealousy, and fear. There is no doubt that the two were, to an extent, very loyal to one another. However, Mao’s undying jealousy of Zhou receiving spotlight led to increasing tensions between the two comrades. Zhou’s increasing wariness of Mao’s capability to make sound political decisions for the country also increased tensions, but not just for the two of them. Their relationship was sometimes explosive, but Mao’s right hand man always covered his tracks when Mao’s temper came into play. If anyone outside his inner circle found out about his temper, Mao’s ability to lead the CCP and the country itself would be called into question. However disputed Zhou’s role in the Cultural cleansing of China, his “servant mentality” is one image that is not disputed …show more content…
throughout history.
Their relationship was unhealthy; Mao being the sadist, dominant, alpha-male and Zhou being the submissive, enabling beta-male. Although, Zhou’s reputation benefited from the apparent contrasts between him and Mao, who loved to thrust himself into the limelight, and never shrank from taking credit for China’s perpetual upheavals. Zhou was far from perfect, but he always looked less demonizing than Mao did, especially in Chinese history. Even after his death, Zhou is still considered a great leader, unlike Mao who is seen as the sadistic dictator that he was, and is still credited to the positive aspects of his time in Mao’s presence. The Chinese do not see Zhou as a monster, but as a hero, who, like many other political leaders, suffered at the hands of Mao, especially in his final days as the Premier, and the final days
of his life.
Traditionally, Zhou is seen as the “great protector” and “beloved premier” but Zhuo’s deep-seated need to affiliate and a deep psychological need to be another leader’s number two clouded his judgement when it came to Mao, and therefore made him less of a “great protector” and more of “the enabler. Zhou had the option of being purged for opposing his leader, but he chose to save his political career, even when he was denied of treatment from Mao for his stomach cancer towards the of the revolution and the end of Zhou‘s life. However, a widely recognized view for Zhou’s continued support for Mao is that Zhou did not have the power that Mao had, and could not be of any major threat to him. Barbara Barnouin continues, however, to assert that not only was history wrong about Zhou being the great protector, but that he was just as much of a monster as Mao was. Zhou was fallible, often devious and capable of great cruelty to his friends and fellow revolutionaries.Zhou continued to support the monster, which subsequently makes Zhou part monster as well, even if he was a closet opposer of Mao.