A Decade of Turmoil: The Years of Civil Unrest in the Republic, 1966-1976

Author: Ma Shitu
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2006-06-01
Features: In the Eastern giant—China—during the 1960s and 1970s, a great leader called "unprecedented" launched a great revolution—the Cultural Revolution. Indeed, this was an "unprecedented" revolution personally led and initiated by Chairman Mao Zedong. No one doubted his kind intentions and pure motives of "opposing revisionism and preventing it." No one doubted the sincerity and enthusiasm of the Red Guards who responded to Chairman Mao's great call to rise in rebellion. However, when this revolution was judged by the impartial judge—history—it had already reached a conclusion. This is the Resolution of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on Certain Historical Issues Since the Founding of the Party, adopted on June 1981. The resolution stated: "The Cultural Revolution…‘was an internal chaos instigated by the leader’s mistake, exploited by a counter-revolutionary group, and brought severe disasters to the Party, the state, and the people of all ethnic groups.’" This so-called "revolution" plunged China into chaos and absurdity, as if dragging it back to the stupid, absurd, barbaric, dark feudal dynasty era. All laws, discipline, and moral norms were destroyed, all recognized standards of right and wrong were completely reversed, and almost all production came to a halt, with productivity severely damaged. Almost all loyal veterans who had fought for life and death overnight were branded as counter-revolutionaries, with many drowned in blood, while more were arrested, imprisoned, persecuted, and tortured to death. How many revolutionary heroes and high-ranking officials, including the honorable President of the state and many marshals, died under mysterious circumstances. Many upright people were inexplicably branded as counter-revolutionaries, leaving them with no place to be buried. Meanwhile, some political ambitious and opportunistic individuals seized state power, reversed black and white, confused right and wrong, acted arrogantly, and became invincible. Some petty villains suddenly received promotions, leaped up and down, seized the opportunity in the chaos, and acted recklessly. How many tragedies, farces, and comedies unfolded one after another, with almost everyone forced onto this stage, acting to the fullest extent without their own will, and their souls exposed to the public. And all of this was carried out under the name of the "Cultural Revolution," personally directed by the great leader. This tragedy only ended when he passed away and the "Gang of Four" was exposed. This book is a firsthand account written by an elderly cadre who personally experienced the baptism of that "great revolution." It truthfully, justly, fairly, and objectively records what he saw, suffered, heard, and felt back then, aiming to leave behind invaluable lessons for future generations, to prevent such tragedies from ever happening again.