Study Dazhai

Struggle to realize Chairman Mao’s great call that 'agriculture studies Dazhai'!

Struggle to realize Chairman Mao's great call that 'agriculture studies Dazhai'!

As an object of study, the Dazhai example featured in many propaganda (poster) campaigns of the early 1970s. The set below was published in Shanxi, home province of Dazhai, in the early 1970s. It provides an overview of the many purposes Dazhai-study could serve. Also note the prominence of Chen Yonggui, Mister Dazhai, the elderly man with the signature towel around his head.

Study Dazhai, to teach the people one must use Mao Zedong Thought

Study Dazhai, to teach the people one must use Mao Zedong Thought

Study Dazhai, the work of making the thought of the leading groups more revolutionary must be done well

Study Dazhai, the work of making the thought of the leading groups more revolutionary must be done well

Study Dazhai, we must grasp class struggle

Study Dazhai, we must grasp class struggle

Study Dazhai, we must rely on self sufficiency to wage the bitter struggle

Study Dazhai, we must rely on self sufficiency to wage the bitter struggle

The red flower of Dazhai blossoms everywhere

The red flower of Dazhai blossoms everywhere

The benevolent influence of studying and subsequently following the Dazhai example was depicted in numerous posters addressing both Han-Chinese and those living in minority areas. The reason for this was twofold: on the one hand, it was to express the idea that the model could be applied all over the nation. On the other hand, it showed that the process of sinification to which the minorities were subjected during the Cultural Revolution had been successful: even they followed Dazhai!

Go all out and struggle to study Dazhai, speed up the construction of Dazhai district, 1976

Go all out and struggle to study Dazhai, speed up the construction of Dazhai district, 1976

Mobilize the whole party, to popularize Dazhai district, 1977

Mobilize the whole party, to popularize Dazhai district, 1977

Turn philosophy into a sharp weapon in the hands of the masses, 1971

Turn philosophy into a sharp weapon in the hands of the masses, 1971