| Summary: | 博士 === 國立政治大學 === 歷史學系 === 107 === The Anti-Rightist Campaign was launched by Mao Zedong and he personally took the lead in the movement, which brought about a tremendous impact on the development of the modern Chinese history. By sorting through piles of documents, this article will analyze why Mao launched this campaign and its influence. On 27th April, 1957, the CPC Central Committee issued“Directives on the Movement to Rectify Styles” and it was published on People's Daily on 1st April, 1957. This directive stipulated that the movement was to be guided by Mao's "Contradictions" and propaganda speeches, and called for a new attention to fight bureaucratism, sectarianism and subjectivism. Soon afterwards, the press and the mass media launched an all-round promotion, asking people from all walks of life to offer criticism and advice on the shortcomings and mistakes of the party and the government, so that the CCP could carry out the Rectification Campaign. However, only one month after the campaign began, Zao began the Anti-rightist campaign on 8th July, 1957. All those who had criticized the CCP during the Hundred Flowers Campaign were labelled 'rightists’. It not only interrupted the political line of upholding economic development as the central task, which was advocated by the 8th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, but also built up the ruling principle of taking class struggle as the key link. This principle last up to 20 years, which made all intellectuals keep quiet. Out of fear, they avoided giving comments on political affairs. The democratic parties suffered a heavy blow and lost their backbone to go against the CCP's wishes. The legal system was severely damaged. Zao then was able to establish his personal cult in the party as well as in the country.
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