Strategies+used+to+take+power+Mao+and+Nasser

Strategies To Take Power (Jeff Chester)

Mainstream consensus of traits single party state rulers exhibit that help them gain power: · Unique talent and intelligence · Heroism and dedication to the cause · Public speaking skill and personal charm

Mao: · Intellectual who worked at a university and a library (helped recruit students to Marxism) · Hero of the Long March – evaded a whole army and helped keep resistance alive under incredible odds · Seen as incredibly dedicated to Marxism when he fought as a Communist rebel · Took advantage of a failing government. KMT was corrupt and favored the landowners. The poor and landless really believed in Mao’s message of Marxism. · The KMT fought poorly against the Japanese. Mao and the Communist rebels were the effective resistance during WW2.

Nasser: · Nasser was one of the few hero’s for the Arabs after the 1948 War. He used this to fame and influence when the Free Officers seized power in a military coup. · He was a gifted public speaker. Coupled with his personal charm and image as a commoner, he was able to persuade the Egyptian public to accept his rule. · He convinced the Arab world that he defeated the British and Israelis during the Suez Crisis. He regained his heroic status, and was able to use this to keep him in power until his death.

Similarities and Differences: Both of these leaders had many similar traits that allowed them to rise to power. They were both individuals who posed as the opposition to the established and ineffective government. They also both could speak well and energize a crowd. Also, they were war heroes who took on the existing and also foreign government. Finally, they were dedicated to their causes, and were looked upon as being the best candidates for the leadership of the country. They were also different. Nasser crafted an image which highlighted his personal charm and speaking ability. Mao was unable to do the same. Also, Nasser was always shown as a commoner, not an intellect or an elitist while Mao was very involved in intellectual circles.

(Try #2) Common Strategies: Mao: Nasser: Similarities and Differences: Both were war hero’s who overthrew the standing government after a bloody war. Both counties were promised land reform, as the masses were not owning the land. Both received aid from Moscow as they took on the establishment. Also, propaganda and popular approval was seen during the seizure of power.
 * Taking advantage of/winning wars
 * Economic, social, or political crisis’s
 * Lack of leadership/failed governments
 * Used military action to gain power by winning the Civil War after defeating Japan
 * Mao rose through the Party’s ranks, and became the face of Communism in China. This fame allowed him to gain followers.
 * He told the masses (poor) what they wanted to hear. He gave the poor the idea that they could have their own land, etc
 * As a Communist leader, Mao received support from Moscow. With the political, military, and economic support from the Soviet Union, Mao was able to gain power more quickly.
 * Propaganda was widely used
 * Nasser used his military connections to overthrow the king
 * He bolstered the masses’ support with rallies and speeches
 * He aligned himself, loosely, with the Soviets, who kept him in power after the coup
 * Propaganda, especially dealing with the 1948 War was used to some extent.