The 'up the mountains and down to the villages' campaign

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What did the new rustification programme involve?

It was the compulsory movement of some 5 million young people from the cities to the countryside between 1968 and 1970

What was the purpose of the campaign?

To increase industrial output and reduce urban youth unemployment. It also dispersed many former Red Guards to areas where they would cause less trouble. It taught urban youth the life of a Chinese peasant, showing them the realities of manual labour.

How were the students received by the peasants?

The students did not put effort into their designated work which the peasants didn’t appreciate. Also the peasants had little extra food to feed the students. Therefore the students were received with hostility by the peasants.

How did the students feel about the campaign?

The young former Red Guards became disillusioned with Mao, feeling they had been used as pawns in his power struggle.

Rural conditions were poor and the standards of living were lower than what the students were used to. Therefore the students were miserable.