The Cultural Revolution was a nationwide upheaval that shook China from 1966 to 1976. It began as an effort by Mao Zedong, the chairman of the Chinese Communist Party, to reassert his authority over a government and party bureaucracy he believed had become too removed from the masses. The goal was to revive the revolutionary spirit of the early period of Chinese Communism by cleansing the party of those who held different values and ideologies. This resulted in a period of political, social, and economic chaos, which ultimately saw millions of people persecuted and millions more displaced from their homes.
The Cultural Revolution brought a number of broad changes to China as a whole. These changes can be broken down into four main categories: political, economic, social, and educational.
Politically, the Cultural Revolution marked a renewed commitment to Maoist ideology and a complete rejection of traditional Confucian values. Mao’s Communist Party sought to promote greater class consciousness through the use of mass mobilization and political campaigns aimed at uprooting “class enemies” — those with counter-revolutionary views or those deemed to be part of the bourgeoisie. All traditional forms of authority, such as religion and morals, were also attacked in this era. In addition, the Cultural Revolution saw a centralized control of the media to disseminate Mao’s ideas and preach his version of Marxism.
Economically, the Cultural Revolution led to the widespread implementation of Mao-style socialism. Private businesses were nationalized and collectivized, resulting in the displacement of millions of people who had been employed in the private sector. State economic planning became increasingly centralized, creating shortages of certain goods and services. An emphasis was placed on heavy industry and defense spending, while domestic consumption was limited.
Societally, the Cultural Revolution had a significant impact. It destroyed existing institutions, such as organized religion and the family, and drastically changed the way people lived their lives. Traditional dress and haircuts were abolished, with everyone wearing the same clothing and having the same hairstyles. Recreational activities were strictly regulated, as were entertainment and art. Mass rallies were held in which people were encouraged to openly criticize and attack anyone who was deemed counter-revolutionary.
Educationally, the Cultural Revolution had a huge impact. Schools were closed, and when they reopened, the curriculum had changed. Mao’s ideas were now taught as scientific truth, and all other forms of knowledge were deemed useless. Intellectuals, artists, and teachers were persecuted, and many fled the country or went into hiding. Educational reform was centered on three objectives: promoting revolutionary spirit, teaching Maoism, and eliminating intellectual pursuits.
The Cultural Revolution left a legacy of fear and distrust in its wake. Its legacy still influences Chinese society today, although in less direct ways. There is still a reluctance to express dissenting opinions in public, and those who do are often labeled counter-revolutionaries. There is also an atmosphere of government-controlled mass mobilization, and an emphasis on collective rather than individual rights. Finally, there is a certain romanticizing of Mao’s era, with his ideology and policies seen as an essential part of Chinese history.