The constitution of the Communist Party of China used to include the words: “Despite twists and turns, and relapses in the course of development, the inevitable replacement of capitalism by socialism is an irreversible general trend in the history of social development.”
Here are a few of those twists and turns in pictorial pairs. (Copied from here. Thanks to Sun Bin for the recommendation) The original poster said no explanation was necessary, but perhaps for an English-language readership, some words might be helpful.
“Completely establish the absolute authority of Mao Zedong Thought”
Lin Biao, expected to one day succeed Mao Zedong as chairman of the party, holds a book of the “Three Constantly Read Articles” containing Mao’s speeches “Serve the People,” “In Memory of Norman Bethune,” and “The Foolish Old Man Removed the Mountains.”
“Fiercely criticize modern China’s Confucius - Lin Biao.”
(The slogan in the woman’s hand says “‘Restrain oneself and restore the rites’ means restoring the old order.”)
During the byzantine power struggles of Mao’s final years, the long-lasting Criticize Lin Biao, Criticize Confucius campaign reached its peak nationwide in 1974, despite the fact that Lin Biao had died in September 1971 - allegedly in a plane crash in Mongolia as he allegedly tried to flee after allegedly failing in a bizarre plot to allegedly assassinate Chairman Mao. Many people were criticized in the course of this campaign including, at one point, Zhou Enlai. Ironically, some teachers managed to use the campaign as an excuse to reintroduce lessons in the classics.
President Liu Shaoqi occupies almost equal pride of place with Mao on the front page of the 1965 National Day edition of the Beijing Daily.
“Completely smash the Liu-Deng reactionary line!”
“Learn from Comrade Jiang Qing
Salute Comrade Jiang Qing!”
“Resolutely overthrow the Wang-Zhang-Jiang-Yao anti-party clique!”
(The Gang of Four - Wang Hongwen, Zhang Chunqiao, Jiang Qing and Yao Wenyuan)
“The Great Friendship Picture Exhibition
Organized by the Tianjin Sino-Soviet Friendship Association”
“Study the Soviet Union’s vanguard experience in production.
Strive to industrialize our motherland.”
“Workers of the world unite!
Smash the US imperialists! Smash the Soviet revisionists!”
Premier Zhou Enlai serves dinner to the imperialist president, accompanied by Zhang Chunqiao.
2 Comments
Omigod! I still remember the abrupt 180 degree turns (too young for Liu Shaoqi), the smell of burning rubber and the screeching of tyres as everyone hit the brakes double quick.
Especially Lin Biao. Never saw that one cooming, although Jiang Qing was well overdue. Have you actually ever watched her model operas? I had to as a kid. Amazing no-one called out social services. Cruel and unusual punishment is what it was.
Anyhow, great pix, funny item. And how very true …
I can’t really say I’ve watched the model operas, Madam Miaow. I’ve sped through some of them on disk with my thumb repeatedly hitting the fast-forward button. There are a few quite impressive moments in the Red Detachment of Women, but it would drive me mad to watch the whole thing. I love the ballet version though.
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