"One of the most ugly aspects of life in Communist China during the Mao Zedong era was the Party’s demand that people inform on each other routinely and denounce each other during political campaigns. This practice had a profoundly destructive effect on human relationships. Husbands and wives became guarded with each other, and parents were alienated from their children."
--- Nien Cheng, Life and Death in Shanghai
Mao Zedong shaped many teenagers’ thoughts during the revolution. During the Cultural Revolution, all public high schools were shut down for six years and more years for college because of Mao’s beliefs. Quotes like,
- “To read too many books is harmful”,
- “It is necessary for intellectual students to go to the countryside and be re-educated by poor or average peasants”,
- "You are to no longer return to school, for they have not been teaching you our communist ideas," and
- "Let new socialist culture occupy every stage"
were written in the Little Red Book for teenagers to follow. Afterwards, about one million college students and two million high school students stopped receiving education and 16 million citizens went to the countryside to live or work on the farms, all believing in Mao’s words.
- “To read too many books is harmful”,
- “It is necessary for intellectual students to go to the countryside and be re-educated by poor or average peasants”,
- "You are to no longer return to school, for they have not been teaching you our communist ideas," and
- "Let new socialist culture occupy every stage"
were written in the Little Red Book for teenagers to follow. Afterwards, about one million college students and two million high school students stopped receiving education and 16 million citizens went to the countryside to live or work on the farms, all believing in Mao’s words.
“Little Red Book,” published in 1966, were pamphlets of quotes that Mao passed out to the teenagers for them to read, learn, and support the Cultural Revolution. Mao’s denials of liberalism, his agreement with communism, and actions he wanted the citizens to take were all printed on the pamphlet. The little red books were widely used in propaganda and between Red Guard soldiers.
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"Youth is the great army of the Great Cultural Revolution! It must be mobilized to the full." --Mao, Zedong
The “Red Guards,” mainly formed by teenagers, was a communist organization that punished those that did not agree with Mao. 13 million citizens joined the Red Guards during the Cultural Revolution. Teenagers were encouraged to denounce their friends and families who were against communism, but those who tried protecting his or her parents were beaten or executed.
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"...I try not to doubt Chairman Mao. I know he is always right. Everyone says so. It must be true. There must be a sensible reason he wants us to write these da-zi-bao. Of course, because Chairman Mao is always right, and he would never tell us to do things he didn’t actually want us to do. How could I possibly doubt him? I remember what everyone used to tell me, “ Heaven and Earth are great, but greater still is the kindness of the communist party; father and mother are dear, but dearer still is Chairman Mao.” Yes, of course. Mao is always right. If he says writing da-zi-bao is right, then it is right. I shall not defy him..."
--Jiang Ji-Li, Diary Entry during May 1966
The picture on the right shows the badges that Mao Zedong used to urge the Red Guards to accomplish what Mao wants them to do. |
Published interview with zuen chen, whom experienced the cultural revolution
Q: Even among workers, did many people worship Mao enthusiastically?
A: Workers were more matured than young Red Guard, so the workers who worshipped Mao enthusiastic were not so much. But the great number of people believed Mao sincerely in those days. During the Cultural Revolution, each home was displaying a portrait of Mao, and having the Quotation of Mao. And before the people works, they studied the Mao's Quotation, and in the working place, Mao's figure was laid.
A: Workers were more matured than young Red Guard, so the workers who worshipped Mao enthusiastic were not so much. But the great number of people believed Mao sincerely in those days. During the Cultural Revolution, each home was displaying a portrait of Mao, and having the Quotation of Mao. And before the people works, they studied the Mao's Quotation, and in the working place, Mao's figure was laid.
Citizens were also not "allowed" to criticize the Cultural Revolution, which if caught, would result in a deadly punishment. See more in...
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