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China: 'Unite to achieve an even greater victory!' Socialist Realist propaganda poster (1973)

By 1973 communist China was seven years into the Cultural Revolution, which had started in May, 1966. The 'Lin Biao phase' was already over, Lin having died in an air crash over Mongolia while apparently attempting to flee to the Soviet Union. Yet the Cultural Revolution would not come to a definitive end until Mao's death in 1976.

The 'even greater victory' referred to in this poster marks the rise of the 'Gang of Four' including Wang Hongwen, Zhang Chunqiao, Yao Wenyuan and especially Mao's wife, Jiang Qing. The main campaign started by this ultra-leftist group in 1973 aimed at ending Zhou Enlai's continuing power and influence, and was marked by the slogan 'Criticise Lin [Piao], Criticise Confucius'.

The stated goal was to end 'New Confucian' thinking as epitomized by 'The Duke of Zhou' - a none to subtle reference to Premier Zhou Enlai, who remained too popular and too influential to be named directly. This poster dates from the 'Criticise Lin, Criticise Confucius' period.