The Cultural Revolution, one of the most tumultuous events in China’s long history, shook the nation from 1966 to 1976. Exasperated by the persistent presence of traditional culture and values, Mao Zedong declared a multi-year campaign aimed at creating a new proletarian communist society. The Cultural Revolution profoundly impacted China and the reverberations can still be felt today.
The Cultural Revolution was an attempt to bring about a massive social, cultural and political change after years of stagnation. It was a complete break with the past, a sweeping away of the old feudal order and its customs. Mao wanted to re-establish a vibrant revolutionary spirit amongst the people, and create a new egalitarian society. He sought to purge China of the “Four Olds”: old customs, old culture, old habits, and old ideas. The aim was to eradicate what he believed were the traces of traditional Chinese Confucian culture and its morality which had become intertwined with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) during their first decade in power.
The Cultural Revolution began in earnest in 1966 and lasted until late 1976. During this period, Mao launched a series of campaigns to transform China into an “ideal” society based on Maoist principles, as part of his struggle against “capitalist roaders” who wished to retreat from socialism or restore the old order. The movement’s targets were mainly intellectuals and those deemed to be “enemies of the revolution”, particularly the bourgeoisie and suspected rightists, but it also encompassed foreign influences, religion, education, traditional culture and the arts. This included the destruction of books, temples and artifacts, as well as the closing of universities, factories and schools.
The Cultural Revolution was brought to an end in October 1976, when Mao died. Although the movement failed to achieve its aims, it had a lasting legacy on modern China. In particular, it shaped today’s China in the following ways:
Politically, the Cultural Revolution had a lasting impact on the CCP’s power structure and its relationship to the Chinese people. It increased the centralization of power in Beijing, with strict control over access to information. It also allowed the CCP to leverage fear to maintain their grip on power and to try to prevent any further challenge to their authority.
In terms of economic developments, the Cultural Revolution left deep scars on the Chinese economy. It marked the end of China’s agricultural system of collective farming and ushered in the controversial “Great Leap Forward” which caused widespread famine and economic devastation. However, the state-owned enterprise system which emerged after the Cultural Revolution preserved certain elements of the planned economy and provided the foundations for China’s gradual transformation into a market economy in the 1980s and 1990s.
The Cultural Revolution also changed Chinese society and its collective memory. It imparted a strong sense of political consciousness and obedience to the masses, while emphasizing communal interest over that of the individual. It also helped forge a new identity for the Chinese people and strengthened their loyalty to the party and its ideology.
Finally, the Cultural Revolution left a lasting imprint on modern Chinese culture and art. As much of the traditional culture was destroyed during the period, a new set of cultural icons and symbols emerged in defiance of the old order. Subsequently, a new generation of Chinese writers, musicians and filmmakers emerged, producing works which often combined traditional styles with modern themes and voiced the concerns of society.
Ultimately, the Cultural Revolution was an event which profoundly changed China and continues to shape the country today. Its legacy is still visible in the politics, economics, society and culture of Modern China, and will likely continue to influence these areas for years to come.