About the 100 Flowers Campaign
In the words of Mao Tse-tung, "In the field of arts, 'Let a hundred flowers bloom'; and in the literary field, 'Let a hundred schools of thought contend' (as they contended during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States period [722- 481 B.C.]) This should be our policy. This was the view of the people 2,000 years ago" (Speech at Expanded Meeting of CPC Political Bureau, 1956).
This excerpt is from Mao's speech in April of 1956, during a meeting of the Chinese Communist Party Political Bureau. The first part of the quote was for artists and writers, whom he encouraged to express themselves freely within the realm of social realism. The second part was aimed at scientists, whom he believed should be able to propose theories without the fear of government backlash (Radvanyi, 1970).
With this speech, Mao introduces the idea of an open criticism policy that will allow healthy discussions between the government and the people. He had hopes that this discussion would stabilize the government, making the people have faith in their country. Then, once the country was like-minded, true progress could be made in the sciences and arts that would push China to be a world leader.
In the words of Mao Tse-tung, "In the field of arts, 'Let a hundred flowers bloom'; and in the literary field, 'Let a hundred schools of thought contend' (as they contended during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States period [722- 481 B.C.]) This should be our policy. This was the view of the people 2,000 years ago" (Speech at Expanded Meeting of CPC Political Bureau, 1956).
This excerpt is from Mao's speech in April of 1956, during a meeting of the Chinese Communist Party Political Bureau. The first part of the quote was for artists and writers, whom he encouraged to express themselves freely within the realm of social realism. The second part was aimed at scientists, whom he believed should be able to propose theories without the fear of government backlash (Radvanyi, 1970).
With this speech, Mao introduces the idea of an open criticism policy that will allow healthy discussions between the government and the people. He had hopes that this discussion would stabilize the government, making the people have faith in their country. Then, once the country was like-minded, true progress could be made in the sciences and arts that would push China to be a world leader.