Rana Mitter, a Professor of the history and politics of modern China at Oxford, joins the discussion on the Cultural Revolution's brutal impacts. They dive into the origins of this upheaval, highlighting the Red Guards' role in dismantling traditional culture. Mitter elaborates on Mao's quest for power, the violent societal shifts, and the deeply ingrained fear within communities. The conversation also touches on the bizarre cult of Mao, symbolized by 'holy mangoes,' and examines how the legacy of this chaotic period continues to shape China's political landscape today.
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Red Guards' Attacks
Red Guards attacked symbols of old ways, like barbershops and high heels.
They even targeted racing pigeons, showing the movement's extreme nature.
insights INSIGHT
Context of the Cultural Revolution
The Cultural Revolution followed the Great Leap Forward, a disastrous collectivization effort.
This famine killed millions, raising questions about Mao's leadership.
insights INSIGHT
Ideology and Power
The Cultural Revolution wasn't just a power grab by Mao.
It was an ideological movement driven by his belief that the revolution had lost its fervor.
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Mao's Last Revolution provides a detailed account of the Cultural Revolution, explaining why Mao launched it and his Machiavellian role in masterminding the movement. The book documents the chaos and terror that ensued, including power struggles among key figures like Lin Biao, Zhou Enlai, Deng Xiaoping, and Jiang Qing. It also explores the aftermath, where Deng Xiaoping led China into a reform era following Mao's death.
Scarlet memorial
Zheng I
Yi, Zheng.
Scarlet Memorial provides a detailed and disturbing account of cannibalism in Guangxi during the Cultural Revolution, drawing on local archives and interviews with officials and victims' relatives. The book explores the extreme violence and factional struggles that led to such atrocities, highlighting the political context of 'class struggle' and 'revolutionary revenge'.
Haihui Dismissed from Office
Haihui Dismissed from Office
Wuhan
Maoism
A Global History
Julia Lovell
Julia Lovell's 'Maoism: A Global History' provides a detailed analysis of Maoism's influence both within China and internationally. The book examines how Mao's ideology shaped global events, including anti-colonial movements and the Cold War, while also highlighting its darker aspects such as violence and repression. Lovell explores how Maoism has been adapted and interpreted in various contexts, from Asia and Africa to Europe and the Americas.
A bitter revolution
Rana Mitter
Rana Mitter's book provides a broad interpretive essay on China's modern revolutionary history, focusing on the May Fourth Movement and its lasting impact on Chinese society and politics. It explores how China's transition from a pre-modern to a modern society was influenced by both internal and international factors.
The cultural revolution
A People's History
Frank Dikötter
China's Cultural Revolution under Chairman Mao was one of the most staggeringly brutal events in recent human history. Tom and Dominic are joined by historian Rana Mitter, who specialises in the history of Republican China.
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