Hundred Flowers

noun

1. the 1957 political campaign in the People's Republic of China to encourage greater freedom of intellectual expression, initiated by Mao Zedong under the slogan “Let a hundred flowers bloom, let a hundred schools of thought contend.”

Word History and Origins

Origin of Hundred Flowers¹

Translation of Chinese bǎihuā ( qíf àng ) literally, (let bloom) a hundred flowers

Example Sentences

The plant contains several hundred flowers in the base of its spadix.

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Investors will watch "whether this is like Mao's 'Let a hundred flowers bloom' campaign that will just be reversed if it doesn't serve the interests of the Party," said Brian Jacobsen, senior investment strategist with Allspring.

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In the words of Mao, “Let a hundred flowers bloom,” but make sure they’re peas, tomatoes and cucumbers.

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Then, unexpectedly, Mao began to welcome criticism of the party, urging a “hundred flowers to bloom,” a phrase meant to encourage people to speak up and criticize the party’s shortcomings.

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The action is said to be similar to Mao’s campaign in 1956 to 1957 known as the Hundred Flowers Campaign that temporarily allowed free expression for the purpose of identifying regime opponents who were then ruthlessly suppressed.

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