The Cultural Revolution (1966-1976) was a tumultuous and violent period in the history of China, during which Mao Zedong and his political allies sought to radically transform China’s existing socio-political structures, culture, and economic system. The Cultural Revolution had a far-reaching impact on virtually every aspect of Chinese society, from the economy to educational curricula to the very way people thought about themselves and their place in society. At its core, the Cultural Revolution aimed at creating a new Chinese society, one that was based on Maoist thought and the principles of socialism.
The beginning of the Cultural Revolution is typically marked by the issuing of the May 1966 document “The Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution” (commonly referred to as the “May 16th Circular”). This document essentially announced Mao’s intention to launch a revolution to purge the Communist Party of all elements of traditional Chinese values and ideas.
The first stage of the Cultural Revolution was known as the “Red Guard Movement” where young students and workers were encouraged to rally and form vigilante groups dedicated to the cause of promoting Maoism. These Red Guards formed large parades and rallies across China, chanting slogans and waving red flags. In July 1966, the Red Guards surged into Beijing, where they attacked symbols of traditional Chinese culture and launched campaigns of public humiliation targeting party members and officials.
The second stage of the Cultural Revolution saw the emergence of the “Four Olds”: old customs, old culture, old habits, and old ideas. This stage marked an escalation of the purges of traditional Chinese culture and values, with Red Guards leading campaigns to destroy old temples, books, artwork, and other cultural artifacts.
The third stage of the Cultural Revolution saw a shift away from targeting traditional values and culture to focus on getting rid of those in power whom Mao believed were not following his revolutionary vision. This period saw a rise in the number of power struggles within the Communist Party, as well as the emergence of the “Gang of Four”, a group of top Maoist leaders led by Jiang Qing, Mao’s fourth wife.
By 1968, the Cultural Revolution had become a full-blown civil war, as Mao began to lose control of the various factions of the Red Guard. In response, he initiated the creation of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), a paramilitary organization which acted as a counterweight to the Red Guards. In the wake of this decision, millions of Red Guards were sent to labor camps and reeducation centers across the country as part of the campaign to “reform” them.
The fourth stage of the Cultural Revolution was known as the “Criticize Lin, Criticize Confucius” campaign, in which Mao and his allies sought to further criticize and undermine those who disagreed with their revolutionary politics. This campaign saw a nation-wide effort to discredit the legacy of former party leader Liu Shaoqi, as well as the legacy of famous Chinese philosopher Confucius.
In the fifth stage of the Cultural Revolution, Mao declared the “Down to the Countryside Movement”. Through this movement, people of all ages were forced to move to the countryside and take up agricultural employment. The objective of this movement was to spread Maoist thought across the rural areas of China, but it also had devastating economic and social effects on the Chinese population. While some people found success in the rural areas, the majority experienced hardships and deprivations.
The sixth and final stage of the Cultural Revolution was marked by the death of Mao Zedong in September 1976. Following Mao’s death, the Gang of Four was arrested and the country gradually returned to a period of relative stability. However, the Cultural Revolution had already taken its toll on China, leaving millions dead or injured and an entire generation traumatized by the events of the preceding decade.
The Cultural Revolution had an immensely destructive impact on the Chinese people, introducing a period of extreme ideological fervor that disrupted both the political and the economic systems of the nation. It is estimated that up to 2 million people died in the course of the Cultural Revolution, while countless more were subjected to untold suffering and deprivation throughout the decade-long upheaval.