Anti-Rightist Campaign

Quick Facts: Who was Anti-Rightist Campaign?

Subject:

Anti-Rightist Campaign

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A 1957–1959 PRC political campaign purging alleged 'Rightists' within the CCP.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Anti-Rightist Campaign (simplified Chinese: 反右运动; traditional Chinese: 反右運動; pinyin: Fǎnyòu Yùndòng) in the People's Republic of China (PRC), which lasted from 1957 to roughly 1959, was a political campaign to purge alleged "Rightists" within the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the country as a whole. The campaign was launched by Chairman Mao Zedong following the Hundred Flowers Campaign. Deng Xiaoping and Peng Zhen also played important roles. The Anti-Rightist Campaign consolidated the PRC's status as a one-party state. The definition of rightists was not always consistent, often including critics to the left of the government, but officially referred to those intellectuals who appeared to favor capitalism, or were against one-party rule as well as forcible, state-run collectivization.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

According to China's official statistics published during the "Boluan Fanzheng" period, the campaign resulted in the political persecution of at least 550,000 people. Some researchers believe that the actual number of those persecuted is between 1 and 2 million or even higher. Deng Xiaoping admitted that there were mistakes during the Anti-Rightist Campaign, and most victims received rehabilitation after 1959. The Anti-Rightist Campaign was a reaction against the Hundred Flowers Campaign which had promoted pluralism of expression and criticism of the government, even though initiation of both campaigns was controlled by Mao Zedong and were integrally connected. Going perhaps as far back as the Long March there had been resentment against "rightists" inside the CCP, for example, Zhang Bojun.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

While the Hundred Flowers Movement was going on, in 1956, Khrushchev published the On the Cult of Personality and Its Consequences, which along with the ensuing riots in Poland and Hungary, had a large impact on China, where similar social unrest began to take place. Defining "rightists" was not always consistent. Rightists included critics of the governmental left, but officially referred to intellectuals who appeared to favor capitalism, or were against one-party rule and forced, state-run collectivization. Rightists could be categorized as "active rightists" (主动右派) and "passive rightists" (被动右派). The "active rightists" could further be divided into three groups: "right-wing intellectuals", "revisionists" and "rights defenders." "Right-wing intellectuals" consisted of influential democratic personalities before 1949, such as Zhang Bojun and Luo Longji, who championed constitutional change and changing the method of government.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1949: 1949 Milestone — " "Right-wing intellectuals" consisted of influential democratic personalities before 1949, such as Zhang Bojun and Luo Longji, who championed constitutional change and changing the method of government.
2. 1956: 1956 Milestone — While the Hundred Flowers Movement was going on, in 1956, Khrushchev published the On the Cult of Personality and Its Consequences, which along with the ensuing riots in Poland and Hungary, had a large impact on China, where similar social unrest began to take place.
3. 1957: 1957 Milestone — The Anti-Rightist Campaign (simplified Chinese: 反右运动; traditional Chinese: 反右運動; pinyin: Fǎnyòu Yùndòng) in the People's Republic of China (PRC), which lasted from 1957 to roughly 1959, was a political campaign to purge alleged "Rightists" within the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the country as a whole.
4. 1959: 1959 Milestone — Deng Xiaoping admitted that there were mistakes during the Anti-Rightist Campaign, and most victims received rehabilitation after 1959.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Anti-Rightist Campaign

True or False: “The Anti-Rightist Campaign only targeted intellectuals who criticized economic policy.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The campaign extended beyond intellectuals to include members of every social class, such as teachers and employees, and was also used for political factional attacks.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Achille Mbembe — Historical peer (Born in 1957) (1957): Cameroonian historian and political theorist known for critiques of colonialism.
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• Abraham Flexner — Historical peer (Died in 1959) (1959): Pioneering American educator known for reforming US and Canadian medical and higher education.
• Ahlam Mosteghanemi — Historical peer (Born in 1959) (1959): Pioneering Algerian poet and novelist, celebrated for her evocative Arabic literature.
• A. A. Milne — Historical peer (Died in 1956) (1956): Celebrated English author, famed for Winnie-the-Pooh and children's literature.
• Aileen Wuornos — Historical peer (Born in 1956) (1956): American serial killer known for murdering seven male clients in Florida.
• Ahmed Zaki (actor) — Historical peer (Born in 1949) (1949): Iconic Egyptian actor celebrated for intense dramatic performances and masterful impersonation.
• Alan García — Historical peer (Born in 1949) (1949): Controversial Peruvian politician who served two non-consecutive terms as President of Peru.

Frequently Asked Questions about Anti-Rightist Campaign