Jiang+Qing

Jiang Qing- created by Christine and Naomi

=__**Biography:**__= Jiang Qing was born on March 20, 1914 under the name Li Shumeng. In 1926 when her father died, her mother relocated her to Tianjin, where she worked in a cigarette factory as a child labourer for many months. The next year was when she began practicing her acting and theatrical skills. She was then selected to partake in an elite acting club in Beijing. It was around this time she was married to the son of a wealthy businessman, but that marriage was short lived. Her next love interest was Yu Qiwei, whom she met when she attended Quingdao University. He was a biology major, and was 2 years older than her. They soon joined the Communist Cultural Front, as Yu Qiwei was an underground member of the Communist Propaganda Department. In February 1933 they both took the Chinese Communist Party oath, and Jiang was appointed to be a member of the youth wing of the Chinese Communist Party. Yu was soon arrested, and Jiang moved back in with her family and attended Shanghai university, In September 1934 she was arrested and sent to jail for her activities in Shanghai. She was only held in prision for 3 months, and when she was released she reunited with Yu in Beijing, who had just been released and they began living together. She then moved back to Shanghai where she became a professional actress. She married another famous actor Tang Lun shortly after. She then changed her name to Lan Ping for her acting career. In March 1936 her husband realized she had been continuing her relationship with Yu, and made two suicide attempts before their divorce was final.

=__**Trial for Jiang Qing**__= During her marriage to Mao Zedong, she emerged as a serious political figure in the Communist Party as the Cultural Revolution arose. She stood as a firm supporter behind her husband as he galvanized students and had the Red Army attack revisionists of the party. But when Liu Shaquoi resigned from all posts, all of Mao's support went directly to the Gang of Four; Jiang Qing, Wang Hongwen, Yao Wenyuan and Zhange Chungqiao. Jiang Qing played a major part in this gang. The Gang of Four maintained control over basically every social institution. The group ordered the destruction of countless ancient books, buildings and paintings and were responsible for the violent persecution of much of China's population. I t wasn't until Mao's death when she was placed on trial for trying to over run the country. Jiang Qing was arrested along with her three other members in the gang and was sent to trial. She refused to accept any guilt that was placed on her and denounced the court and the countries leaders. In 1980 they were found guilty of plotting against the state. Jiang Qing and Zhange Chungqiao, who were considered to be the leaders, were sentenced to death. Their punishment was later changed to life in prison. She later apparently committed suicide in 1991 before receiving her full punishment. She was also a sufferer of throat cancer, during her release on bail because of this disease she was able to kill herself. **__ The Cultural Revolution: __** Qing was appointed deputy director of the Central Cultural Revolution Group by her husband Mao Zedong. Their goal was to enforce socialism by removing traditional capitalist and cultural elements from society, and impose Maoist ideals. Mao formed groups of youth called "Red Guards" across the country to attack the revisionists that were supposedly trying to bring back capitalism. The revolution was launched in 1966. This revolution also led to a massive purge of high ranking officials who were accused of being capitalist. Millions of people were tortured abused, imprisoned, and humiliated. A large amount of urban youths were transferred to rural regions as a part of a movement. Many historical artifacts and relics were destroyed, and religious sites were trashed. Many artists were deemed bourgeoise and or anti-socialist and were not permitted to work. Although a form of Opera thrived called Peking Opera. The historical artifacts were destroyed as they were thought to represent the "old way of thinking". Those identified as spies, "running dogs", or "revisionists" were harshly persecuted. They suffered beatings, imprisonment, rape, torture, denial of medical services and striped of their social identity. The death toll is estimated to be around 500,000 between 1966 and 1969. Mao announced that the revolution ended in 1969, but the period of instability between 1971 and 1976 is now recognized as part of the revolution. Most reforms were abandoned by 1978.