New Life Movement

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The New Life Movement (Chinese: 新生活運動) was set up by Chiang Kai-shek and his wife Soong May-ling in February 1934.^[1] It attempted to counter Communism ideology with a mix of traditional Confucianism, nationalism and authoritarianism that have some similarities to fascism.^[1] It rejected individualism and Western capitalistic values. It also aimed to build up morale in a nation that was besieged with corruption, factionalism, and opium addiction. Some goals included courtesy to neighbors, following rules set by the government, keeping streets clean, conserving energy, and so forth. Chiang Kai-shek used the Confucian notion of self-cultivation and correct living for this movement. While some have praised the movement for its role in raising the quality of life somewhat during the war with Japan, other have criticized it for its lofty goals that were out of touch with the suffering of the general populace.

The New Life Movement was considered part of the program to carry out the "principle of the people's livelihood" (minsheng zhuyi) in Sun Yat-sen's Three Principles of the People.