A Chinese Rebel beyond the Great Wall: The Cultural Revolution and Ethnic Pogrom in Inner Mongolia

A first-person account of the Cultural Revolution in Inner Mongolia, embedded in an examination of historical evidence on China's minority nationality policies. The book explores the repression of Inner Mongols during the Cultural Revolution, arguing that it was not a genocide but a "politicide" aimed at breaking the will of a nationality to exercise leadership of their autonomous region.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 416 pages
Publication date: 28 November 2023
Publisher: The University of Chicago Press

A captivating firsthand account of the Cultural Revolution in Inner Mongolia, intricately woven with a comprehensive analysis of China's minority nationality policies from the past to the present.

In 1959, amidst the devastating consequences of the Great Leap Forward, Cheng Tiejun, a young middle school student, found himself arriving in Inner Mongolia as a refugee from the famine-stricken regions of China. It was during this tumultuous period that the People's Republic of China (PRC) descended into the depths of the Cultural Revolution. In 1966, as the political landscape of Inner Mongolia was engulfed in turmoil, Cheng joined the Red Guards, aligning himself with the revolutionary forces. At that time, Inner Mongolia had long been under the leadership of Ulanhu, a prominent figure who had faced accusations of being a nationalist and a traitor. With the military assuming control and tensions escalating with the Soviet Union and its ally, Mongolia, on the border, the Mongols, including Cheng, were subjected to widespread prejudice and persecution.

The culmination of this prejudice was a tragic pogrom that unfolded in Inner Mongolia, resulting in the loss of over 16,000 Mongol lives, making it the most devastating toll anywhere in China during that era. At the core of this book lies Cheng's personal recollections of his experiences as a rebel during the Cultural Revolution. These recollections are complemented by a meticulous examination of the documentary record compiled by the three coauthors. The final chapter of the book presents a theoretical framework that sheds light on the repression experienced by Inner Mongolians. The authors argue that the primary objective of the repressions was not to annihilate the Mongols as a people or as a culture but rather to undermine their will to exercise leadership over their autonomous region. This unique narrative offers a valuable primary source of information for understanding the events of the Cultural Revolution, while also presenting a novel perspective on contemporary Chinese minority politics, encompassing the Uyghurs, Tibetans, and Mongols.

Through the lens of Cheng's firsthand account and the comprehensive analysis of historical evidence, this book provides a profound understanding of the complexities and nuances of the Cultural Revolution and its impact on minority communities in China. It serves as a reminder of the importance of empathy, understanding, and respect for diverse cultures and identities, and highlights the ongoing struggles and challenges faced by these communities in the present day.

Dimension: 229 x 152 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780226826868