The hundred flowers campaign Flashcards
when was campaign launched
April 1956 when Mao addressed the party with the quote ‘let 100 flowers bloom and a 100 schools of thought contend’
but didn’t work so tried again in February 1957
what was its aim
people to speak freely about the party while being critical
what were the reasons for the launch of the campaign
To ask for help, worries about economy (stagnation), so campaign would help intellectuals give advice
rectification of the party, party was less revolutionary and more bureaucratic so Mao used intellectuals to point out mistakes and act in peoples interest
removal of Mao’s enemies, members of the party were not radical enough in new policies so intellectuals would criticise them and give Mao opportunity to remove them
international concerns, destalinisation made Mao nervous so way to prove he wasn’t dictator
over confidence Mao may have been optimistic due to success e.g. Korean war, first 5 year plan. if intellectuals endorsed his policies that would give him great influence and he could advance his own policies against less radical members of the party
how was CCP criticised
trickle of comments developed into flood of criticism
denounced party’s failures to provide democratic rights or freedom of speech
attacked communist leaders as they had better food, housing and education.
how did Mao respond to feedback
Speech published in peoples daily that declared poisonous weeds had grown among fragrant flowers and right wingers had abused their freedom.
accused them of overthrowing communism and returning China to rule of nationalist bourgeoise
what was then launched after 100 flowers
anti rightist campaign
what did Anti rightist campaign entail
400,000 to 700,000 intellectuals purged wither sent to countryside, Laogai system for labour reform or committed suicide
result
Mao grip on CCP tighter, but goodwill of intellectuals lost.
