A day in the life, 1955

8 months have passed since i became pregnant and today, i learnt of my husbands imminent return from Korea. Not a day goes by where i do not remember the news of his capture during the war. 2 whole years i have waited for his release, and every day i prayed. As much joy as i feel now, it is somewhat repelled by the numerous deaths around me. Neighbors and friends are being taken away to be "re-educated" i fear that i shall never see them again. What scares me most is their political and economic beliefs were very similar to mine and my husbands. In fact, it would not be a stretch to say they influenced my stance on government and in turn, i influenced them. Communism is becoming more popular by the day, and i believe that it is not the way. So too did my friends and i live in fear knowing that their capture will one day be my fate. Days go by and i can't help myself from thinking, we are next. It is not our fault communist ideals do not interest us. It is not our fault that we do not agree with these radical notions but how can be be punished for thinking that this is not the right course for our country. I pray every night for my husbands safe return, but i also, selfishly pray for myself. I pray for my baby to be born not in a camp, dirty with disease and forced labor. I pray for my child to arrive in this world with clear skies above and hot food on the table. I pray Chairman Mao does not separate me from my child, however as the war comes to and end, i cannot help but feel that the winds of change are upon us.

Will & Jeremy's Life in 1967 China Post

Dear diary,
My name in Guang Xiao Hong and I grew up and still live in Beijing. I am 20 years old, and work in a small factory next to my dormitory. Revolution is brewing in my city, and I intend to be a part of it. Chairman Mao has told us common people to work together and overcome all of our society's problems. Many of my friends have been chosen to go to war to protect our country, and same of the remaining workers here fear the same fate. But I follow the teachings of our great leader, who said “When we die for the people, it is a worthy death." (“Serve the People,” speech from Mao Zedong on September 8th, 1944). Every day, local bureaucrats try to assert their authority, but my friends and I listen to Mao and maintain revolutionary spirit to better our country. Chairman Mao tells us, "Marxism consists of thousands of truths, but these truths can be summarized in the statement: It is right to rebel!” (Mao Zedong’s speech on December 20th, 1939). I know that it is right to rebel against non-revolutionary forces, but I will never oppose our great leader, Chairman Mao. Long live Chairman Mao and the revolutionary people of China!

-Will & Jeremy

A day in the life

Shanghai, 1967.
Wednesday, April 14.
Low-Low Yuang

"Today i was cured by the meritorious Chairman Mao. My life long hearing and speech impediment has vanished under the swift effort of our glorious leader, Chairman Mao. Before today, sounds were nothing to me and as a result, i could make none. However yesterday i underwent an incredibly risky medical operation to cure me of my impediment. At first i was scared, i thought perhaps i would die. However the thought that the entire process had be planend out by our beautiful Chairman Mao gave me much solace. Once i awoke, i laid my eyes, ears and words onto my mother who was standing over me. I immediately fell to the floor, beneath our giant painting of Chairman Mao. I almost shouted the words, "OH GLORIOUS CHAIRMAN MAO, THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!" As tears fell down my mother's face, i comforted her and in turn myself, with the kind words that had not left my lips since i was 2."

This is what i heard on the radio today, a glorious and triumphant story of Chairman Mao's efforts to help and cure a deaf-mute from her crippling disease. As i listened to this little girl's story, i found myself in amazement. Amazement for our wonderful leader and his magical abilities. I thought long and hard on how Chairman Mao could possibly cure this little girl's deafness. Acupuncture was the means in which Chairman Mao cured this girl, however it was his genius combined with the loyal country which follows him wherever he journeys. I consider myself so blessed to live in this wonderful country lead by this truly amazing leader, if he can cure this girl's deafness and muteness, there must surely be no end to his power.

Day During the Cultural Revolution (Claudia and David)

1967, Beijing:

Today, I noticed the worst of this "Cultural Revolution." Revolution is brewing in our city. The people have broken away from normal behavior and have begun destroying all of the aspects of ancient Chinese culture. To me, this is somewhat of a good thing; we are changing some of the undesirable aspects of the Chinese society, including capitalism and destroying the bourgeoisie. The economy is suffering greatly, for the revolutionary tendencies are leading to anarchy. Chairman Mao's publications and "Little Red Book" have been spread around (today I received one of these books), wherein he enjoined us to destroy the old four: "the old customs, habits, culture, and thinking." The Red Guards are chanting in the streets, vandalizing the traditional art, and removing authority from power. Once, as I was walking to the market, I saw the artwork in a museum of art from the Qing dynasty completely defaced. The students at the university gave a speech, urging the people to join the fight. Although this is okay, they are going too far. While the students were giving their speech, the Red Guards chanted their infamous slogans regarding this change in Chinese culture. This country is a nation of peasants and proletarian workers, not of powerful bourgeois people. Therefore, the elements of the bourgeoisie should be expunged; however, the results of this fight are turning out to be disastrous. I have been encouraged to spend my days reading the literature of chairman Mao, and today I tried to memorize one of the three commonly read passages. This is tough for me, but I think that if I can do this, then I will be showing my support to the "Cultural Revolution."

Shanghai, 1967 Diary of A Chinese Girl

Dear Diary,
Today I watched a movie, entitled "The Detachment of Women" and it inspired me to become a warrior when I'm older. I'm just a destitute 16-year old girl from Shanghai, who never dreamed I could become a valiant, brave soldier, but now the honorable Chairman Mao showed me anything is possible. Before, I thought I'd have to labor on a farm, but now I know I can become a brave soldier soldier and defend the honor and glory of Mao. Even if I cannot become a soldier, I know (that because of Mao) I can defend my country or earn any job a man can. Just this winter, the Red Guards entered Shanghai and they're so inspiring; I wish I could be like them. Like my favorite song says, "how bright and brave they look." I'm so glad life has become better now that Mao is in charge!
小餃子

Leah and Nick

Day in the Life of a Student in Beijing, 1967 (Noah and Michaela)

Dear Journal,
Today, I continued to fight the terrible bourgeoisie in the name of our great leader Chairman Mao. My fellow Red Guards and I worked to destroy the evil four olds. As a student and a man of twenty years, I have been taught the power of Mao-Zedong thought and have devoted my life to the revolutionary cause. I follow the little red book and use it to resolve any problems as Chairman Mao has instructed. After waking up, I put on my Red Guard uniform and my Mao badge.

Today, while walking through Tienanmen Square, I saw our great Chairman Mao encouraging mobilization of the people. My fellow Red Guards and I, while walking through the market, encountered a middle-aged man who was insulting Chairman Mao. We detained him and sent him for re-education through labor. I am amazed at how people do not see the greatness of Chairman Mao, who is leading our country to prosperity and curing the people of their diseases.

In the effort of spreading Chairman Mao's thought, we destroyed an ancient temple in the heart of Beijing today. In order for Chairman Mao's thought to prevail, all parts of old culture must be abolished. Mao, who doesn't support religion, tells us to destroy old temples and old religious practices.

After a long but rewarding day of destroying old practices, I returned home to watch the Mao television network. I am truly blessed and inspired to fight in the name of Chairman Mao and fight for the revolutionary cause.

Chinese responses to imperialism

What was the Chinese response to foreign imperialism, and how and why was it ineffective? Post your responses in the comments.