A New Term is Coined
In September 1950, journalist Edward Hunter published an article titled “Brain-washing Tactics Force Chinese Into Ranks of Communist Party” in the Miami Daily News. He claimed the Chinese Communist Party used terrifying techniques to turn people into obedient followers. Hunter introduced the term “brainwashing,” translated from the Mandarin words xi-nao, meaning “wash brain.”
The Korean War Confessions
The concept gained traction during the Korean War when American prisoners of war confessed to war crimes under duress. These confessions, which were later proven false, shocked the American public and fueled fears that the Chinese had discovered a way to control minds.
Pop Culture and Public Fear
The idea of brainwashing became a staple in pop culture, inspiring films like The Manchurian Candidate. Meanwhile, the CIA initiated Project MK-ULTRA to investigate mind control techniques, conducting experiments on subjects without their consent.
The Legacy of the Fear
Despite the lack of evidence for true “mind control,” the fear persisted, influencing U.S. military training and interrogation tactics for decades.
The Birth of Brainwashing đź§
A New Term is Coined
In September 1950, journalist Edward Hunter published an article titled “Brain-washing Tactics Force Chinese Into Ranks of Communist Party” in the Miami Daily News. He claimed the Chinese Communist Party used terrifying… pic.twitter.com/ZzelJwXrCV— Detective Tiger’s Stories (@TigerDetective) September 24, 2024