Struggle session

Liu shaoqi

Struggle session (Chinese: 批斗会; pinyin: pīdòuhuì) was a form of public humiliation and torture used by the Communist Party of China (CPC) during the Maoist era, particularly during the Cultural Revolution. The aim was to shape public opinion and to humiliate, persecute, or execute political rivals and those deemed to be class enemies.

History

Struggle sessions were first used in the 1940s during the Chinese Civil War and became more widespread during the Land Reform Movement in the early 1950s. They reached their peak during the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976), a period of intense social, political, and cultural upheaval initiated by Mao Zedong.

Procedure

During a struggle session, the accused person was forced to confess to various crimes, often fabricated, in front of a large crowd. The sessions were typically held in public places such as schools, factories, or town squares. The accused would be subjected to verbal and physical abuse, and sometimes torture, by the crowd. The goal was to break the spirit of the accused and to serve as a warning to others.

Impact

Struggle sessions had a profound impact on Chinese society. They were used to eliminate perceived enemies of the state, including intellectuals, landowners, and those with ties to the Kuomintang. The sessions created an atmosphere of fear and suspicion, as anyone could be accused and subjected to a struggle session.

Legacy

The use of struggle sessions declined after the end of the Cultural Revolution and the death of Mao Zedong in 1976. However, the legacy of these sessions remains a sensitive and controversial topic in China. The Chinese government has since denounced the excesses of the Cultural Revolution, but the memories of struggle sessions continue to haunt many who lived through that period.

See also

• Cultural Revolution
• Mao Zedong
• Chinese Civil War
• Land Reform Movement
• Kuomintang

Further reading

• Mao's Great Famine
• The Private Life of Chairman Mao