Hundred Flowers Campaign 

   

"Let a hundred flowers bloom, and a hundred schools of thought contend."



This was the famous slogan for the movement in May 1956, which emphasizes on the freedom

of speech by the intellectuals, lifting constrains and strictures that had repressed the people 

from voicing their opinions. A daring move by the communists signifying a loosening of their

reins on its people but unfortunately it ended up as a backlash that invited lots of criticisms 

to the Communist policy. Mao therefore undercuts these unacceptable responses by 

branding these speakers as extreme rightists who is seen to undermine the present political

system. Such political infidelity was intolerable to the authority and that these provocative

speakers eventually landed themselves to severe criticisms and retributions.