Revolutionary Youth in China, 1949-1950 with Dr Sanjiao Tang
The year between 1949 and 1950 witnessed the most drastic and profound changes in modern China. Triumphing in the Civil War and taking over the entire country, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) was founding its new regime. The younger generations were strongly encouraged to follow the national progress and become revolutionary youth as soon as possible.
However, it was not always easy for ordinary young men and women who never engaged in revolution. Understanding the CCP’s effectiveness in reshaping the younger generations helps rethink the swift establishment of the People’s Republic. Moreover, by paying attention to such speedy and tolerant strategies’ limitations in thoroughly revolutionising the youth, according to the CCP’s ideals, it is possible to reconsider China’s history in the following three decades.
The Southbound Mobilization Meeting held in Shanghai on June 21st, 1949 at the Tianchan Theatre, nla.cat-vn8490
The Southbound Mobilization Meeting held in Shanghai on June 21st, 1949 at the Tianchan Theatre, nla.cat-vn8490
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About Dr Sanjiao Tang
Dr Sanjiao Tang is a Visiting Research Fellow at the Centre for Asian and Pacific Studies, Seiki University.
Dr Tang received his PhD from the University of Auckland in 2021. His doctoral dissertation is Everyday Life during the Cultural Revolution in Sichuan Province which adds to the literature on Maoist China by examining and analysing from the ground-up, peripheral, and everyday perspectives.
Aiming to revisit and reconsider the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)’s communism and nationalism-based propaganda targeting the Chinese youth throughout the Maoist era (1949-1978), Dr Tang’s Fellowship research references more than 100 items in the National Library’s collections. These sources were produced in different periods of Maoist China, published by different levels and organisations under the CCP and circulated in different groups among Mao’s youth.
In addition to making unique contributions to international scholarship on Maoist China, the result of this project helps understand the China of today.
Dr Sanjiao Tang is a 2025 National Library of Australia Fellow.
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