Cultural Revolution

Fifty years ago, in 1966, Mao Zedong led China into chaos with what was tagged The Cultural Revolution. Fulfilling the promises of his foundation of the People's Republic of China in 1949, Mao turned the country on its head. The old way was out. Ming era vases were smashed, artwork from the Han dynasty destroyed. Scholars, musicians, and artists who celebrated the classical traditions of Chinese culture were discredited and sent to labor camps or farms. Teachers were marched through the streets wearing dunce caps and derided by their former pupils. School was no longer necessary-- the youth needed only to memorize the teachings of Mao, contained in one little red book, and paint slogans spreading the message into the streets. Children were rewarded if they could alert authorities to any dissent by their parents. Posters singing the praises of Mao and the revolution were plastered on city walls throughout China. Of course the experiment went horribly awry. Families were ripped apart, and suspicion, then fraud and jealousy turned the populace against each other. Millions died from the ill-designed state owned farming system and the ensuing famines and food shortages.

When I visited Beijing in 2000, I had these images in my head, having studied Chinese history and a special interest in the revolution and Mao. Tiananmen Square was an image in my head etched by Nixon's presidential visit in the seventies and later by the actions of the lone protester standing in front of tanks trying to quell the 1989 student protests. When I arrived in Beijing, the first thing I did after checking into my hotel was to walk to the square and stand before the gates of the Forbidden City. I was jet lagged, but I knew I wouldn't sleep until I saw it in person. 

During my stay, I was determined to find posters from the revolution. It wasn't easy. China was embarrassed by the Cultural Revoution which dissolved in chaos brought forth by the Gang of Four spearheaded by Mao's wife. Deng Xiaoping led the country through the transition that continues today. While the communist revolution is celebrated, the years of the Cultural Revolution are not. It's history had been buried and shops would not have relics of that past on display. 

I was inquisitive though, and with luck (and a few yuan) I talked a shop keeper into showing me the posters not on display kept in a storage room. She steered me to the usual Chinese Opera posters from the revolution, but I saw a few of what I was seeking and convinced her to sell. I bought the four that I saw.

The anniversary of the Cultural Revolution is important to consider in light of the world we live in. Leaders intent on controlling the message do just that. They know how to tap into the passions, prejudices, and fears of the masses. It's happening today around the world, only the media used for propagating have changed. If you aren't familiar with this history, I suggest you read up on it.