(Un)rest in revolution: Beijing’s Eight Treasures Mountain (Babaoshan) Revolutionary Cemetery and the making of China’s national memory

Abstract

In 1950, the People’s Republic of China began transforming the Eight Treasures Mountain ( Babaoshan) into a national cemetery for its highest-ranking cadres and most devoted supporters. This article advances our understanding of how the People’s Republic of China revolutionizes the way it uses the dead to legitimize its rule over the living. While the People’s Republic of China seeks to erase the Imperial and Republican past, it follows its predecessors in shaping national memory by creating a sacred site for the loyal dead. Furthermore, despite atheist self-proclamation, the People’s Republic of China relies on traditional beliefs and practices to memorialize its dead members. The state’s attempts to shape national memory through these means have not been without resistance from the bereaved families, particularly under controversial circumstances. Besides these unsettled conflicts, the People’s Republic of China faces the challenges posed by a growing number of the dead. The People’s Republic of China tries to manage its necro-constituents by turning to information technology and eco-burial.