ABSTRACT
The 1957 Anti-Rightist Movement was the first nationwide assault on intellectuals, a sort of literary inquisition. The movement is frequently referred to as the “One Hundred Flowers Campaign” because Mao Zedong used the slogan, “Let One Hundred Flowers Bloom, Let One Hundred Schools of Thought Contend” to introduce an alleged exercise in free speech encouraging intellectuals to voice their opinions about com munist party reforms. During the first 7 years of the People’s Republic of China, particularly during organized criticism sessions against individuals targeted by the party, intellectuals seemed to resist indoctrination. Now, as Mao announced a rectification movement within the communist party, intellectuals “bloomed” and “contended freely” unleashing direct and veiled criticism which shocked Mao and the top leadership.
