Rethinking Mao and the Cultural Revolution

Full Talk Title: Rethinking Mao and the Cultural Revolution: Insights from a New Chronology of Jiang Qing

For non-Columbia affiliates, registration is required to access the Morningside campus. After registering you will receive an email with a QR code that must be presented along with a valid government-issued ID (your name must match exactly the name registered for the event) at either the 116th Street & Broadway or 116th Street & Amsterdam gates for entry. Please register using a unique email address (one email address per registrant) by 4:00pm on Sept. 11 for campus access.

Names will be submitted for QR codes 1-2 days prior to the event. Registrants will receive an email from CU Guest Access with the QR code before or on the day of the event. NOTE: You cannot access campus using the QR code from Eventbrite.

Speaker: Bao Pu, Founder of New Century Press, Hong Kong

Moderator: Andrew J. Nathan, Class of 1919 Professor of Political Science, Columbia University

Jiang Qing (1914–1991), Mao Zedong’s wife for 38 years and a leading figure in the Cultural Revolution, was purged after his death and officially blamed for much of its destruction. This talk drawing on renowned author Yu Ruxin’s new chronological biography, challenges the official verdict and offers fresh insights into Mao’s thinking, his intentions for the Cultural Revolution, and how the political movement shaped modern China and continues to have major influences today.

This event is hosted by the Weatherhead East Asian Institute.