Some scholars refer to the Chinese Cultural Revolution as having the most successful propaganda campaign in history. The posters themselves were designed to make use of bold images which captured the ethos of the Revolution- a new, hard-working China, free of the immoral Old ways. Posters often featured smiling, attractive young people, which set an example for the youth of China. The Red Guard are one such example, and many young people aspired to join this group as a display of their loyalty to Chairman Mao.
Posters were not the only means of propaganda utilized during the Cultural Revolution. Nationalist music was very popular and had an advantage that posters did not. Though the language used on posters was kept very simple, many people in China were illiterate and could only glean understanding from the images used. With music, however, even the illiterate could enjoy and share in the ideas of the Revolution. Utilizing propaganda which could be understood by the masses was a smart move on Mao's part.
No comments:
Post a Comment