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Consolidating power and the Hundred Flowers, 1951 to 57
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The new government moved quickly to crush opponents. Then, in 1956, Mao invited criticism, before turning on those who spoke out.
Terror against opponents
From 1950 to 51, campaigns against "counter-revolutionaries" targeted former GMD supporters, landlords, criminals and religious groups.
Mass trials and executions spread fear, and people were encouraged to denounce others.
Mass trials and executions spread fear, and people were encouraged to denounce others.
The Three Antis and Five Antis, 1951 to 52
Three Antis: against corruption, waste and bureaucracy, aimed at officials and party members.
Five Antis: against bribery, theft of state property, tax evasion, cheating on government contracts and stealing state economic information, aimed at businessmen.
Result: businesses came under state control and many owners were ruined or killed themselves.
Five Antis: against bribery, theft of state property, tax evasion, cheating on government contracts and stealing state economic information, aimed at businessmen.
Result: businesses came under state control and many owners were ruined or killed themselves.
The Hundred Flowers campaign, 1956 to 57
Why: Mao said he wanted to improve the party by allowing criticism, and to win over intellectuals.
The slogan: "Let a hundred flowers bloom".
What happened: criticism became fierce, attacking the party itself.
Result: Mao launched the Anti-Rightist campaign (1957). Hundreds of thousands of critics were labelled rightists and punished, many sent to labour camps.
The slogan: "Let a hundred flowers bloom".
What happened: criticism became fierce, attacking the party itself.
Result: Mao launched the Anti-Rightist campaign (1957). Hundreds of thousands of critics were labelled rightists and punished, many sent to labour camps.
Why do some historians think the Hundred Flowers campaign was a trap?
- It encouraged people to reveal their true opinions.
- Those who criticised the party were then identified.
- They were punished in the Anti-Rightist campaign.
Answer: It flushed out critics, who were then punished.
1950 to 51: terror against counter-revolutionaries. 1951 to 52: Three Antis (officials) and Five Antis (businessmen). 1956 to 57: the Hundred Flowers invited criticism, followed by the Anti-Rightist campaign against critics.
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