The Cultural Revolution in China began in May of 1966 and lasted until 1976. The movement, which was launched by Chairman Mao Zedong in an effort to rid the country of any potential threats to his brand of communism, resulted in severe economic losses, massive political turmoil, and millions of deaths.
The initial spark of the Cultural Revolution can be traced back to early 1965, when Mao determined that a knowledge revolution was needed in order to maintain the legitimacy and authority of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). In order to realize this goal, Mao mobilized millions of college students and formed the Red Guards. This mass organization was charged with the task of carrying out the Chairman’s vision of purging the nation of any possible dissenting ideas or beliefs.
The Cultural Revolution began in earnest on May 16, 1966 with a mass rally in Tiananmen Square, where Mao called on the people to “bombard the headquarters” and launch a “great cultural revolution.” This ideological cleansing effort soon spread throughout the country, as the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) joined the Red Guards in attacking anyone associated with the old order or religion. Millions of intellectuals and religious followers were arrested and sent to labor camps for “re-education.”
In addition to suppressing dissent and criticizing counter-revolutionary elements, the Cultural Revolution was used as a tool to solidify Mao’s control over the CCP. A large number of former party officials were purged, while millions of citizens were subjected to “class struggle” sessions that were designed to root out anticommunist sentiments.
Despite these measures, the Cultural Revolution failed to achieve the objectives that Mao had initially set out to accomplish. Instead, the movement proved to be incredibly costly and disruptive, resulting in an estimated 1.5 million deaths, incalculable economic losses, and massive social upheaval.
In August of 1971, Chairman Mao launched the “Four Cleans” campaign to bring the Cultural Revolution back to its original goals. This initiative resulted in the arrests of hundreds of thousands of activists, and ultimately had little effect in stemming the tide of chaos.
Finally, in April of 1976, following Mao’s death, Premier Hua Guofeng announced the end of the Cultural Revolution and encouraged the Chinese people to move forward in peace. In the months that followed, the newly-established Politburo sought to undo the damage done by the Cultural Revolution, releasing prisoners, restoring links with the international community, and reforming education.
Today, despite its painful legacy, the Cultural Revolution remains a defining moment in Chinese history. The period serves as a reminder of the deep divisions that can develop between countries and cultures, and highlights the risks of allowing unchecked ideological fervor to prevail.