Question

What was Mao Zedong attempting to do in this speech?

Answer 1

Since the actual speech is not mentioned, i believed the speech to be popular speech by Mao Zhedong, titled "SERVE THE PEOPLE"

Answer:

What Mao Zedong was attempting to do in this speech is to "Promote Sacrifice for the Common good".

Explanation:

Mao Zedong wrote "Serve the people" speech to commemorate the death of a PLA soldier, Zhang Szu-teh, who participated and died in the Long March.

In the speech, he made mention of popular phrase written by the famous Han Dynasty historian Sima Qian, which is "Though death befalls all men alike, it may be heavy as Mount Tai or light as a feather, and to die for the people is weightier than Mount Tai, but to work for the fascists and die for the exploiters and oppressors is lighter than a feather. Comrade Zhang Side died for the people, and his death is indeed weightier than Mount Tai".

Hence, What Mao Zedong attempt to do in this speech is to "Promote Sacrifice for the Common good".

Also, in the speech, was Mao Zedong attempts to show that the government will implement suggestions that help the people.