Abstract:

Cultural preparation for war was an important part of the national war preparation plan during the Third Front Movement period. By building rear war preparation bases and relocating crucial cultural resources, lots of cultural institutions in frontline areas were prepared for a war that might break out at any time. Cultural preparation for war has rich connotations and involves a wide range of fields. There were large-scale preparations of all resources that could help promote national identity and carry forward national culture, such as cultural relics and archives, books and printing, films and radio, and universities and research institutions. Cultural preparation for war continued throughout the whole period of the Third Front Movement and reached its peak in 1965 (with the escalation of Vietnam War) and 1969 (with the incident of Zhenbao Island). Though producing no strategic resources in a state of war, it embodied the war preparation nature of the Third Front Movement. Though the war did not break out as we analyze the movement in retrospect, China’s attitude toward geopolitical crises demonstrated by its cultural preparation might have been an important deterrent.

Key words: the Third Front Movement, cultural preparation for war, archives, books, relocation of universities