The legacy of the Cultural Revolution in China is both complex and pervasive. The period—which officially lasted from 1966 until 1976, though its total impact may last decades—that left a legacy of human suffering which can still be felt today. During this tumultuous time, an estimated 10 million people lost their lives and countless others were persecuted, tortured, and imprisoned for “counter-revolutionary” activities. An entire generation of Chinese citizens endured the hardships of the revolution, and its effects are still apparent today.
China’s economy struggled greatly under the rule of Mao Zedong, the leader of the Communist Party during the Cultural Revolution. In contrast to the theories of Karl Marx, who advocated a centralized economy and state ownership of the means of production, Mao encouraged aggressive collectivization of industry and agriculture. This resulted in a dramatic decrease in agricultural production levels and caused food shortages that cost an estimated 30 million lives. In contrast, industry boomed, with workers and students mobilised in national campaigns to increase production.
The destruction caused by the Cultural Revolution was felt most deeply in its treatment of intellectuals. In their attempt to create a new “Maoist” society, Cultural Revolution activists targeted those perceived as “enemies of the people”. This included teachers, professors, businessmen and other intellectuals. Many were sent to labour camps or forced to become active participants in the Revolution. As a result, Chinese education suffered tremendously during this period, with schools and universities closed for much of the decade and teaching reformulated around Maoist doctrine.
The Cultural Revolution also had far-reaching implications for social politics. One of its declared goals was to eliminate “bourgeois” and “elitist” elements from Chinese society, creating a “classless” society. This led to widespread persecution of those with wealth or status and the emergence of a permanent “underclass” who lived on the margins of society. Along with this came a growing politicisation of everyday life, with citizens subjected to near-constant propaganda.
The long-term consequences of the Cultural Revolution have been far-reaching. China has yet to fully recover from the damage done to its economy, education system, and social structure. The effects of Mao’s reign continue to be felt in many areas, including the rise of crony capitalism, educational inequality, and social unrest. Additionally, the persecution of intellectuals and their subsequent exile has had a lasting impact on the cultural landscape of China. While the Cultural Revolution had many positive aspects, such as the increased sense of nationalism and the return of traditional arts and culture, its negative impacts extend beyond the boundaries of a single decade.