Long March Story – How did the Red Army soldiers eliminate -illiteracy- on the Long March-
During the Long March, the Red Army employed and innovated various learning methods to eradicate illiteracy and promote cultural education among its soldiers. One notable approach advocated by Zhang Wentian was the “backboard” method. As they marched, each soldier carried a wooden board inscribed with letters and characters, facilitating cultural study on the go. According to Zhong Youhuang, the Central Red Army demonstrated a commitment to education even during military operations. It was common to see soldiers with literacy cards hanging from their backpacks, allowing them to study while they walked. Their rapid improvement in cultural knowledge earned them praise upon reuniting with the Fourth Red Army, with observers noting, “All the officers and soldiers in your corps are intellectuals.”
