Cultural Revolution in China

The Cultural Revolution in China, officially known as the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution, was a socio-political movement launched by Mao Zedong in 1966 and lasting until 1976. It was intended to preserve Chinese communism by purging remnants of capitalist and traditional elements from Chinese society and to reassert Mao’s ideological control over the Communist Party of China (CPC). The movement profoundly impacted Chinese politics, culture, education, and society, leaving a controversial legacy of both revolutionary zeal and widespread disruption.

Background and Causes

The Cultural Revolution emerged from political struggles within the CPC during the 1960s. After the Great Leap Forward (1958–1962), which resulted in severe famine and economic setbacks, Mao’s authority within the party was weakened. Leaders such as Liu Shaoqi and Deng Xiaoping favoured pragmatic policies of economic recovery, which Mao regarded as a betrayal of socialist principles.
Mao feared that the CPC and the nation were drifting towards revisionism, similar to the path taken by the Soviet Union after Stalin’s death. He sought to reignite revolutionary fervour, mobilise the masses, and restore his ideological dominance. The revolution was thus justified as a class struggle to prevent the re-emergence of bourgeois elements within Chinese society.

Launch and Early Phase

The Cultural Revolution was formally launched in May 1966, following Mao’s call to “bombard the headquarters,” signalling a direct attack on perceived enemies within the party. The Central Committee issued directives encouraging criticism of intellectuals and officials accused of harbouring bourgeois tendencies.
The formation of the Red Guards, groups of radical youth mobilised to defend Maoist thought, marked the beginning of mass participation. Universities and schools became centres of political activism, where students denounced teachers, officials, and even family members. Symbols of China’s traditional culture, literature, and art were targeted for destruction, while revolutionary culture was promoted.

Key Developments

The Cultural Revolution unfolded in several distinct phases:

• 1966–1969: Radicalisation and Red Guard MovementMass rallies in Beijing, attended by millions of Red Guards, demonstrated Mao’s personal authority. Violent struggles ensued as factions within the Red Guards clashed. Educational institutions were closed, and many intellectuals and officials faced public humiliation, imprisonment, or death. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) was later deployed to restore order, leading to the disbanding of many Red Guard groups.
• 1969–1971: Consolidation under the PLAThe Ninth Party Congress (1969) affirmed Mao’s leadership and elevated Lin Biao as his successor. However, Lin’s alleged coup attempt and mysterious death in 1971 weakened radical influence and created uncertainty within the leadership.
• 1972–1976: Decline and EndThe return of pragmatic leaders such as Zhou Enlai and Deng Xiaoping began to shift the balance towards economic recovery and stability. Mao’s health deteriorated, and after his death in 1976, the “Gang of Four,” key radical leaders including Jiang Qing, was arrested. This event marked the official end of the Cultural Revolution.

Impact on Society

The Cultural Revolution had far-reaching consequences:

• Political Impact: It paralysed government institutions, as political campaigns replaced normal administration. Many veteran leaders were purged, imprisoned, or exiled.
• Social Upheaval: Families were divided as individuals denounced one another in pursuit of ideological purity. Millions were displaced, with urban youth sent to rural areas in the “Down to the Countryside Movement.”
• Cultural and Educational Disruption: Traditional art, religion, and literature were destroyed. Universities remained closed for years, depriving a generation of formal education.
• Human Suffering: An estimated one to two million people died due to persecution, while millions more suffered physical and psychological trauma.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages:

• Strengthened Mao’s control and reaffirmed revolutionary ideology.
• Promoted egalitarian values, reducing some aspects of social hierarchy.
• Increased mass participation in political life, though often in destructive forms.

Disadvantages:

• Severe disruption of education and economic development.
• Destruction of cultural heritage and intellectual resources.
• Large-scale human rights abuses, including persecution, imprisonment, and killings.
• Political instability and weakening of governance structures.

Legacy and Historical Evaluation

Following Mao’s death, the CPC under Deng Xiaoping officially denounced the Cultural Revolution as a “catastrophe” for the nation. It was declared a major mistake that had caused widespread suffering and hindered China’s development. The Gang of Four was held responsible for much of the turmoil, though Mao’s role remained a subject of sensitive debate.
In historical terms, the Cultural Revolution reshaped Chinese society by breaking traditional hierarchies and forcing ideological conformity. However, it also stunted economic growth, education, and cultural development for nearly a decade. The movement is often remembered as one of the most tumultuous and destructive episodes in modern Chinese history.