With thanks to my dearest friend Sha for inspiring this post – couldn’t have done it without you – you’ve inspired me to learn more about China than anyone!

When I was a young lad, I have to admit I didn’t know an awfully large amount about China. It always seemed like this big, mysterious place, a million miles away – in terms of distance, culture, and language.

One of my early exposures to China however was through Chinese Propaganda posters – I remember seeing images of them in National Geographic magazines, and in ‘poster books’ at the local library. Of course, I didn’t understand what they really meant, or what those slogans were about, but those images really captured my imagination – and they are probably one of the reasons I have a strong interest in design these days.

They also piqued my interest in China, and having had a passion for them, I think it’s given me a slight insight into what China might have been like in the past, and how it has evolved over the years – as can be seen in the evolution of the posters.

I recently discovered an awesome site called ChinesePosters.net, and on their site they have a really large collection of awesome poster art available. You should all go check it out. The text and images here are reproduced with their permission.

Today I’d just like to show of a brief evolution of the design of these posters, so you can see how China has developed over the years. It’s quite an interesting view:

Japanese occupation, 1937-1945

Attracted by the cheap labour force and vast resources, Japan invades China in 1937. China must become part of the ‘East Asian Economic Co-Prosperity Sphere’. The bulk of China is controlled by the Nationalist Party (Guomindang), which is especially strong in the urban areas. The Communists entrench themselves in the countryside. Both parties use posters to try and mobilize the population to resist the common enemy, Japan. The Japanese also use posters to justify their military presence and to make it clear to the population that any resistance is useless.

This first poster is from the time of the Japanese invasion of China, and also when the war between the Nationalist and Communists were just going on. I’m pretty sure you can guess which side published this poster. It was published in 1937, and well before the foundation of the ‘New China’.

As you can see, it’s a very interesting use of imagery to play on peoples fears – obviously you can imagine what changes will come in the future.

Building the People’s Republic, 1949-1956

The proclamation of the People’s Republic of China brings an end to decades of (civil) war. The Communist Party rules, the Nationalists flee to Taiwan. Two themes are prominent on the posters of this period: the proclamation of the Republic itself, and the reconstruction of agriculture and industry, bringing abundance and prosperity. The Soviet Union supports China. But there are also problems to be solved, such as dealing with opponents of the Party. The first wave of Mao posters appear, a prelude to his later glorification.

This poster was published in 1950, to celebrate the first anniversary of the founding of the PRC – I’m sure most of you can recognize Mao Ze Dong (毛泽东) in this image, and the other one is Sun Yat-Sen (孙中山). Actually, I didn’t know Sun Yat-Sen called 孙中山 for a very long time – when I finally put two and two together it made a lot more sense why there are so many parks and such in China with the name 中山!

This poster was published in 1951, around the time when communist land reform was really taking hold, and land holdings from around the country were being widely redistributed. Edgar Snow talks a little about this in ‘Red Star Over China’, a book you should add to your reading list if you are interested in learning more about this period in Chinese history.

The Korean War, 1950-1953

The Korean War starts in 1950. South Korea is supported by the USA, the North by the Soviet Union and China. The Russians mainly provide material support, the Chinese also send in soldiers. Until the armistice in 1953, an estimated one million Chinese die in battle.

Another one from 1951 as well, obviously quite a different image. This area kind of helps me to understand the relationship between North Korea and China that still exists to this day. Not perfectly understand, but at least I have an idea of where it came from.

Interestingly enough, a good number of Chinese people have confidently told me that America/South Korea started the war, although I understand that China has recently changed its stance on this. It probably helps put the images into context though.

The Great Leap Forward, 1956 – 1960

After the successful economic reconstruction of the early 1950s, the Party leadership headed by Mao Zedong considers the conditions ripe for a Great Leap Forward in early 1958. The Chinese people are to go all out in an effort to surpass England in 15 (or even fewer) years and to make the transition from socialism to communism at the same time. The production of steel is considered of the highest importance. All over the country, small furnaces are built. In the countryside, huge people’s communes are formed. Life there is completely collectivized, including mess halls serving free food. By early 1959, it becomes clear that the campaign is a failure and that a catastrophe is at hand. In the famine of following years, thirty to forty million people die.

This image was published in 1958, when things were starting to get a little heated. I highly recommend the movie 活着 from Zhang Yi Mou if you are interested in this period of history.

The smokestacks in the rear are likely furnaces for making steal. I guess that was a sign of things to come.

This imaged was published in 1960, when the issues caused by the great leap forward were coming to a head. The images seem to try and focus on Maos personality cult, rather than anything overtly political. Not sure if ‘loves children’ would be a slogan I’d run with though.

The Cultural Revolution, 1966-1968

The Cultural Revolution is a series of campaigns, initiated by Mao, intended to transform China into a truly revolutionary country. Big-character posters are used to denounce people as opponents of the Revolution. Red Guards (pupils and students who swear loyalty to Mao and his Little Red Book) destroy anything that is branded ‘old’ and eliminate people considered ‘rightists’. The campaigns result effectively in a civil war. The country is in chaos, but the posters only show enthusiasm.

This image was published in 1967, and apparently has to do with the conflict between the left and the right of the party. Obviously we can see which route China has followed, but it’s certainly interesting to imagine that this is what life was like just one or two generations earlier – this is the generation most of my friends parents belong to – and it makes me realise just how much things have changed.

China as Paradise, 1972-1976

The chaos of the civil war is hidden behind the optimistic images of the early 1970s. They create the impression that China is a paradise, where abundance reigns and everyone is happy. Behind the scenes, the struggle for political power continues. But – with a few exceptions – the mass campaigns are over. Cautiously, the first luxury consumer goods are introduced. The first televisions appear on the Chinese market.

This poster published in 1974 seems to me a bit of a turning point in the message the posters portray, and I think it points a little towards what China will become in the future.

This poster published in 1975 also seems to point to the development path. Although the references to Mao Zedong thought are still there. Still, I think this points towards where China is heading.

Modernization and New Leaders, 1976-1988

Following the death of Mao Zedong in 1976, and the brief reign of Hua Guofeng, Deng Xiaoping comes to power in 1978. Under Deng, the reform and opening up of the economy starts that has made China the economic power that it is today. No more stress on revolution but on material wellbeing instead. No more politics but the freedom to have fun instead. People try to forget the Cultural Revolution. The struggle against crime and corruption now become important themes. Private entrepreneurs slowly start to become active. The posters fantasize about the great future that lies ahead: space craft, high-speed bullet trains, high-rise buildings and freeways filled with cars. All these fantasies have become reality today.

And in 1978, the corner is turned. To me this is the birth of modern China and the free market.

And here we are in 1987, the corner well and truly turned, and the doors wide open – China is letting in the outside world, and pop stars and pop music come with it.

China opens up, 1989-

China has opened itself completely to the outside world. Politics have largely disappeared from the poster. China’s leaders (Deng Xiaoping and Jiang Zemin) are now seen as ordinary people and even Mao increasingly looks like a movie star. The struggle against SARS and the preparations for the Beijing Olympics 2008 receive a lot of attention. The world is a new place.

1990, and here we can really see how the world has changed. Western outfits, and even some of the people in the picture look like foreigners to me. In just 40 years, it really is a different world.

And one more to finish off with from 1997 – I find the message of this one a little contradictory – you can see it is the new China, little emperor and all. But still clinging on the bastions of socialism.

I guess that kind of sums up China today, and hopefully it gives you all some idea of why China is like it is now, and how much has changed in such a short period of time.

I know sometimes people can get frustrated with China, or complain about China, but the rate at which it’s evolving is truly amazing. Who knows where it will be in 50 years from now? Anyone want to draw a poster for that?

Hopefully you’ve enjoyed this post – if you have any thoughts on it, please leave them below in the comments. Oh, and if I’ve made any silly mistakes be sure to let me know. Thanks a lot for dropping by.