chinese literature quiz 2

The Land Reform (1947-49/50)

ANTI LANDLORD CLASS This encouraged peasants to rebel and talk back to the landlord class. “Speak bitterness.” Proletariat heroes fighting against landlords 

The “Hundred Flowers Bloom”. (1956) 

Mao encouraged open criticism. Though he was shocked with how much criticism he received. THEN HE ENCOURAGED ANTI-RIGHTEST MOVEMENT 

Anti-Rightist Movement (1958-never really ended)

ANTI INTELLECTUALS. Mao rounded up anyone who gave back criticism either put them in labor camps or killed them??? Intellectuals were most impacted by this movement as they criticized him a lot more than others.

The Great Leap Forward (1958-1961ish)

Goal to combine self-initiate large-scale industrialization not only in urban areas but villages/rural places. approach was epitomized by the development of small backyard steel furnaces in every village and urban neighborhood, which were intended to accelerate the industrialization process. Mao called for the Chinese peasants to be organized into communes. “Steel fever”

The Cultural Revolution (1966-1976)

goal was to preserve Chinese communism by purging remnants of capitalist and traditional elements from Chinese society. 15 million people perished or prosecuted every year during the revolution. Encouraged individuality/you are not only a part of your family but a part of you “work unit.” 

The Great Famine (1959-1961)

Due to The Great Leap Forward, food reserves in the countryside diminished, peasants began dying in droves by the summer of 1960. 30-40 million died . It was so bad people resorted to cannibalism.

The Red Guards

A group of students and young adults mobilized by Mao during the cultural revolution. Attacked those who were in touch with the west. They were very loyal to Mao.

Mao’s talk at the Yan’an Conference (1942)

Located in Shaanxi, China (was the base of the CCP), Purpose of the conference in 1942 was to “ensure that literature and art follow the correct path of development...overthrow national enemy.” Arts and politics aimed at workers, peasants, soldiers, etc. For those who especially can’t read. 

How did the Cultural Debate/Fever in 1985 mark a shift in ideological openness in China?

The Cultural Debate/Fever in 1985 signaled a shift towards ideological openness, allowing criticism of domestic and international affairs, but the CCP remained the sole political power.

What was the "Reform and Open Up" policy introduced by Deng Xiaoping in 1978?

The "Reform and Open Up" policy was Deng Xiaoping's initiative to transform China economically and socially, opening up to foreign investment and trade with the West. Aimed at economic and social transformation, bringing about urbanization, globalization, and class divisions in China. a gradual shift of the system but immediate.

What were the effects of the Reform and Open Up policy?

1. socio and economic unfairness rich got richer, poor were still poor,

2. created psychological anxiety among some people,

3. moral confusion (fundamentals of this shift was capitalistic),

4. structure overhaul in ideology.

Provide context for the 1989 Tiananmen Square Protest. What were the primary causes/major issues and demands raised by the protestors?

The protest in 1989 was driven by issues such as inflation, dismantling of the welfare system, corruption, and the stratification of society. Protestors demanded political reform, an end to corruption, disclosure of officials' income, democracy, and freedom of speech/press. Led to troops using severe violence, including shooting citizens, resulting in the deaths of many protestors.

Timeline

PRC (1949), Land Reform (1947-53), Korean War (1950-53), Flowers Bloom (1956-57), Great Leap Forward and Famine(1958-62), Cultural Revolution (1966-1976), Deng Xiaoping’s Reform and Open Up (1978)

Mo Yan

First Chinese writer to win Nobel Prize for literature in 2012