Photos Showing the Dangers of Censorship and Oppressive Regimes Throughout History

Book burning in Berlin. Germany, May 10, 1933. — Wide World Photo

At Berlin’s Opernplatz, the burning of books and other printed materials considered “un-German” by members of the SA and students from universities and colleges in Berlin. Germany, May 10, 1933. National Archives and Records Administration, College Park, Md.

Public burning of un-German books in the Opernplatz. Berlin, Germany, May 10, 1933. — Wide World Photo

Students and members of the SA with armfuls of literature deemed un-German during the book burning in Berlin. Germany, May 10, 1933. — National Archives and Records Administration, College Park, Md.

In Hamburg, members of the SA and students from the University of Hamburg burn books they regard as un-German. Hamburg, Germany, May 15, 1933. — Bildarchiv Preussischer Kulturbesitz

Public burning of un-German books in the Opernplatz. Students, some in SA uniform, march in a torchlight procession. Berlin, May 10, 1933. — Bildarchiv Preussischer Kulturbesitz

At Berlin’s Opernplatz, crowds of German students and members of the SA gather for the burning of books deemed un-German. Berlin, Germany, May 10, 1933. — National Archives and Records Administration, College Park, Md.

Joseph Goebbels, German propaganda minister, speaks on the night of book burning. Berlin, Germany, May 10, 1933. — National Archives and Records Administration, College Park, Md.

Propaganda Minister Joseph Goebbels (at podium) praises students and members of the SA for their efforts to destroy books deemed “un-German” during the book burning at Berlin’s Opernplatz. Germany, May 10, 1933. National Archives and Records Administration, College Park, Md.

Qin Bangxian, better known as Bo Gu, was the “person with the overall responsibility of the CCP,” and so had a tremendous responsibility under leader Mao Zedong. However, as a result of some miscommunication on tactical military defense at the Zunyi Conference during the Long March, Bo Gu was criticized for “serious partial political mistakes” and replaced in command by Zhang Wentian in 1935. The exact miscommunication differs in most historical accounts, but it could be what led to Bo Gu’s fallout with Mao Zedong, and therefore could have been the reason for his elimination from this photo. Business Insider

The burning religious texts and antiques during the cultural revolution between 1966 and 1976. antiquechinesefurniture

Book burning in Chile following the 1973 coup that installed the Pinochet regime. Wikipedia

After news of the execution of Jang Song-thaek, Kim Jong-un’s uncle and close advisor, broke in December, North Korean state media has been erasing the man from history entirely, deleting him from online archives and photographs. Business Insider