The Cultural Revolution in China was a tumultuous period of political and social upheaval that began in 1966 and lasted until 1976. Led by Mao Zedong, the then-leader of the Communist Party of China, this transformative period sought to “reinvigorate” the communist movement and, by extension, the People’s Republic itself.
At the heart of the Cultural Revolution was Mao’s dissatisfaction with the progress of the Communist Party in China, which had failed to make any serious progress towards realizing his vision of a truly Communist state. Mao believed that the senior leadership of the party had become too entrenched in the status quo and was unresponsive to the needs of the people. As a result, Mao was determined to launch a campaign of radical transformation to break free from these limitations.
To drive home this message and ensure its success, Mao called on young Chinese citizens to join him in a form of “Red Guard” mass mobilization. The Red Guards, mostly comprised of students and young adults, were the foot soldiers of Mao’s revolution, tasked with carrying out their leader’s vision for a new China. They succeeded in toppling the old guard and establishing a new set of ideals, rooted in Maoist thought, which became known as the Four Cardinal Principles.
These principles, according to Mao, were the true embodiment of socialism: the continuation and strengthening of the dictatorship of the proletariat, support for Mao Zedong Thought, adherence to Marxism-Leninism, and opposition to all forms of revisionism and dogmatism. To further drive home this message, the Red Guards conducted a series of cultural campaigns that sought to cleanse the country of capitalist, feudal and reactionary elements, while promoting the values of Maoism.
The Cultural Revolution also sought to re-shape the very fabric of Chinese society, by dismantling the traditional social structure of class, gender and age. Mao believed that the existing hierarchy of privilege and power kept those at the top in an unchecked position of authority, while leaving the common man with no voice or recourse. He sought to rectify this situation by encouraging “class struggle” and the formation of revolutionary committees, which sought to redistribute power and resources among the masses.
Even though the Cultural Revolution was initiated by Mao and led by the Red Guards, it was ultimately the Communist Party of China that held the greatest responsibility for its success. The Party provided legitimacy to the movement and acted as a bulwark against those who opposed its goals. In addition, the senior leadership of the Party made sure that the policies of the Cultural Revolution were given the necessary resources and support needed to succeed.
In doing so, the Communist Party of China provided crucial guidance to Mao and the Red Guards throughout the duration of the Cultural Revolution, ensuring that the goals of the movement were achieved. Without the leadership of the Communist Party of China, the Cultural Revolution would have never been possible. Therefore, it is safe to say that the Cultural Revolution in China was ultimately the result of Mao Zedong’s leadership and the support of the Communist Party of China.