Group of six Chinese propaganda posters from “The Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution, " ca. 1966-1976. The Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution was a movement launched by Chairman Mao and radical leftists in the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to purge pragmatic elements from the party, government, and society. Mao demanded that his followers recapture power from “capitalist roaders” by “carrying out a great cultural revolution.” Spearheaded by young people, the Red Guards or “class enemies, ” were denounced and hauled before mobs at “struggle sessions” where "reactionaries" were publicly shamed, beaten, and sometimes killed. Estimates of the death toll vary widely, typically ranging from 1-2 million. Red Guards sought to destroy the Four Olds (old ideas, old culture, old customs, and old habits), which often took the form of destroying historical artifacts and cultural and religious sites. Tens of millions of people were persecuted, the country’s schools and universities were closed, and the National College Entrance Examinations were cancelled. Over 10 million youth from urban areas were relocated to rural areas under the “Down to the Countryside Movement.”
(Each, mounted) Height: 23 1/2 in x width: 17 in.
Condition: Wear commensurate with age throughout, including toning. All posters mounted to a poster board, housed within a plastic sleeve. None of the works are framed.
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