Revisionist

Mao therefore wanted both to reverse their approach and to defeat rivals within the leadership. His description of opponents as ‘revisionists’ or ‘capitalist roaders’ turned a dispute over policy into an accusation that they were betraying the revolution.

Mao feared that capitalism could return even while the Communist Party remained in government. He condemned people who allowed practices such as private trade as revisionists: in his view, they were changing communist principles rather than defending them. Economic recovery measures could therefore look sensible to moderate leaders but dangerous to Mao.