A Research On Mass Movement In China (1957-1966)

Mass movements are essential elements in contemporary Chinese history. From the People's Republic of China was founded to the end of 1970s, mass movements occurred frequently under the leadership of the Communist Party of China. They had a major impact on the historical process at that time and after. As the an important way of the Communist Party of China to lead the Chinese people in carrying out economic construction, political construction and cultural construction, its history impact are positive in some cases, but in some cases its history impact are negative. Before the People's Republic of China was founded, as well as at the early age of the founding, the mass movement played an important role in overthrowing the old regime,setting up the new system, achieving social transformation. However, after 1957, mass movement bringged a large number of negative effects. Many scholars have already Study done on the Rectification Movement,the anti-rightist Movement,the "Great Leap Forward" and the Socialist education Movement that occurred in the period 1957-1966 .This article focused on not only the history of the process of mass movements, but also the form or the general of mass movement. And the template is the mass movements occurred in the period 1957-1966. Following the general process of mass movement happened during this period, according to its three fundamental elements in the course: the act of government (nation),the reaction of the people (society) and the interaction between the two, the author discusses the general concept of mass movement and the specificity of the concept of mass movement after the People's Republic of China founded, investigated the way and the process of the country launched a mass movement, the thought on mass movements of Mao Zedong and the other leaders and people's participation in the mass movement. Specially I paid attention to the political culture foundation and society structure basic of the mass movement and how the social thought played a role in mass movements and their relationship.Academic have not paid enough attention to these issues less: how the country control the direction and the process of mass movements,the importance of the social thought and the groups mentality impact on the participation of the people. This article concerned about them. The author Put forward three main country's control methods: policy control,competitive regulation and target regulation. I think, social thought played an intermediary role in the formation of a mass movement. In particular, because of the "left" social thought, So that the "Left" ideology sinked as a guide of the people's belief. In fact it caused by the social atmosphere of a mass movement and laid a foundation for the mass movement. According to the mentality of the characteristics of groups that the mass movements happened in this period reflected, I put forward the concept of involved participation in this paper. But I do not think this mode is the main way that people Participated in mass movements.