Reshaping China’s culture Flashcards
What was Mao’s philosophy on culture?
Culture was central to a nation’s identity, and defined its character. Since China was now a proletarian state, it must destroy any vestiges of bourgeoise and feudal culture with force. “The more brutal, the more revolutionary.”
What was Mao’s view on art?
He demanded that all artists must take serving the proletarian revolution as their main duty. He did not believe in art for art’s sake, or art that was detached from politics, and did not believe in artistic self-expression.
How did Jiang Qing reshape China’s arts?
She imposed a rigid censorship system that denied any art that did not meet her standards of revolutionary purity.
Only writings, art and films that had directly relevant contemporary Chinese themes were allowed.
All Western music was banned.
Traditional Chinese opera was also banned.
She also commissioned new opera-ballets which focused on the blatant victory of proletariat over bourgeoisie.
What were the consequences of Jiang Qing’s cultural assault?
An artistic wasteland was produced, where no influential work was produced, as any artists who didn’t accept the new rigid laws were sent to laogai camps.
Yan Yen, a poet, stated that as a result of the Cultural revolution, they “have no culture.”
When did the CCP begin its assault on religion, and what was its justification?
1950- Religion was regarded as superstitions exploited by the ruling classes to oppress the people.
How did the state attack religion?
Christian churches were closed, their property seized or destroyed and their ministers abused. Foreign clergy were expelled from China, and wall posters and loudspeakers were used as a way to constantly condemn religion. Buddhist monks were paraded around and humiliated.
How were traditional Chinese customs attacked?
Ancestor worship was prohibited, along with traditional philosophies such as Buddhism and Confucianism.
The customs of the peasants such as dances, songs, and poetry were replaced with political meetings and agit-
prop performances, and rural life was overhauled with collectivisation in the 1950s.
What was the PRC’s main fear with religion?
That it would combine with separatist ideas in the western provinces- in Tibet people were of the Lama buddhism faith, and this inspired Tibetan nationalism and its resistance of the PRC. The PRC was also worried about Xinjiang, which like Tibet was strongly united by religion, with the Hui, Uighur, and Kazakh people all devout muslims. In addition, Xinjiang was bordered by Pakistan, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan, all muslim countries who would likely support Xinjiang in a separatist movement.
