Imagine a time when classrooms closed, ancient treasures were destroyed, and millions of young people took to the streets in the name of revolution. This was China in 1966, the start of the Cultural Revolution—a decade-long movement that forever changed the nation’s culture, society, and identity. But what exactly sparked this tumultuous era, and why does it still matter today? In this article, we’ll explore the origins, impact, and lasting legacy of the Cultural Revolution.
Read on to discover how this pivotal period shaped modern China—and why its story still fascinates the world.
What Was the Cultural Revolution in China in 1966?
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The Cultural Revolution, formally known as the “Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution,” was one of the most dramatic and consequential chapters in modern Chinese history. Initiated in 1966 under the leadership of Mao Zedong, the movement swept across China and left lasting legacies in culture, politics, and society. To truly understand modern China, it is essential to explore the origins, aims, events, symbolism, and enduring effects of the Cultural Revolution.
Origins and Historical Background
Mao Zedong and the Seeds of Revolution
By the mid-1960s, Mao Zedong—China’s top Communist Party leader—believed that the revolutionary spirit that brought his party to power was fading. Social and economic changes, bureaucratic expansion, and emerging differences within the Communist Party made him wary of what he saw as “capitalist” and “traditional” tendencies sneaking back into Chinese society.
Determined to “reignite” the revolutionary fire and reaffirm his authority, Mao launched the Cultural Revolution in May 1966. His aim was to purge elements seen as corrupting communist ideals—especially rival leaders, intellectuals, and anyone thought to harbor capitalist or traditional views.
Trigger Events
The movement began with dramatic calls to reject “the Four Olds”: old customs, old culture, old habits, and old ideas. Students and young people, soon known as “Red Guards,” were mobilized across the country to criticize, denounce, and uproot these old ways, often with fervent zeal.
Goals and Ideological Meaning
Purifying the Communist Party
At its core, the Cultural Revolution was about control—over ideology, society, and the Communist Party itself. Officially, the stated goal was to ensure that China’s revolution would not be reversed, protecting socialist values from both internal “capitalist roaders” (party members seen as too moderate) and external influences.
Erasing the Old, Shaping the New
This ideological campaign went far beyond party politics. It sought to remake Chinese society by redefining culture, language, education, and everyday life. Mao encouraged ordinary people to challenge authority figures, leading to an atmosphere of suspicion and frequent public shaming or “struggle sessions” for those considered enemies of the revolution.
The Unfolding of the Cultural Revolution
The Red Guards and Mass Mobilization
One of the most iconic features of the Cultural Revolution was the rise of the Red Guards—a mass movement of students and young people who became loyal enforcers of Maoist thought. Dressed in military-style uniforms, waving copies of Mao’s “Little Red Book,” and marching in the streets, Red Guards attacked everything associated with the old order.
They targeted teachers, intellectuals, historical sites, works of art, and even family traditions. Schools and universities were largely shut down as young people traveled across China to participate in campaigns, sometimes descending into chaos and violence.
Phases and Escalation
The Cultural Revolution unfolded in several phases. The most violent—in 1966 to 1968—saw widespread persecution, the destruction of cultural relics, and brutal power struggles at all levels. Public humiliation, imprisonment, and even deaths were tragically common.
As things spiraled, many party officials and ordinary people fell out of favor. Some of China’s most senior leaders were accused of being “counterrevolutionaries” and removed from power, including President Liu Shaoqi and future reformer Deng Xiaoping.
Army Intervention and Fading Zeal
By 1969, Mao called on the military to restore order, lessening the chaos. However, mass campaigns and internal purges persisted throughout the 1970s. The period officially ended in 1976, following Mao’s death and the arrest of the “Gang of Four,” a group of radical leaders blamed for the worst excesses.
Cultural Meaning and Lasting Symbolism
The “Four Olds” and the Campaign Against Tradition
The Cultural Revolution stands out as a rare, government-led crusade against an entire nation’s heritage. The “Four Olds” campaign—against old customs, culture, habits, and ideas—struck deeply at China’s Confucian roots and centuries of rich tradition. Countless antiques, historical texts, temples, and family heirlooms were destroyed. Family members turned against one another, and trust was shaken across generations.
Mao as Icon
The era was marked by pervasive personality cult imagery. Portraits of Mao Zedong were everywhere, and his writings—especially the famous “Little Red Book”—became symbols of loyalty. Revolutionary operas, posters, and songs saturated everyday life, glorifying Maoist ideals and reshaping art, literature, and media according to political needs.
New Rituals and Social Practices
Traditional festivals, religious observances, and even customary greetings were denounced as backward. Attendance at political meetings, chanting revolutionary slogans, and public self-criticism sessions became the new rituals. The very meaning of Chinese culture was forcibly redefined during these years.
Impact on Daily Life and Society
Education and Family Life Disrupted
The Cultural Revolution turned the lives of ordinary Chinese upside down. Schools and universities were largely closed for years, depriving an entire generation—sometimes called the “lost generation”—of formal education. Family members were pressured to denounce each other, and children challenged teachers and elders.
Work, Art, and the Economy
Workplaces became loci of political struggle as campaigns targeted so-called “reactionaries” and elevated political loyalty above skills or performance. Creative arts were harnessed for propaganda; only officially approved works—such as the “model operas”—could be performed.
Economically, industrial and agricultural production often faltered due to disruptions, political infighting, and mass mobilizations.
Variations, Related Movements, and Global Context
Not a Traditional Revolution
Unlike revolutions that replace governments, the Cultural Revolution was an internal power struggle within the governing Communist Party, affecting every level of society from elite leaders to rural villages.
Related Maoist Campaigns
The Cultural Revolution built upon Mao’s earlier efforts—such as the Great Leap Forward (1958–1961)—to rapidly shape society, but its focus was far more on ideology and personal loyalty.
Echoes and Influences Abroad
Maoist motifs and slogans inspired leftists worldwide—even as the chaos at home drew criticism and concern from foreign governments.
Representation in Contemporary Culture
Literature and Art
Today, the Cultural Revolution is often depicted in Chinese literature, films, memoirs, and artworks, many of which reflect on the trauma and upheaval of that era. Writings by survivors, like Jung Chang’s “Wild Swans” or the novels of Yu Hua, have reached global audiences with their personal stories.
Public Memory and Remembrance
In China, discussion of the Cultural Revolution remains sensitive. It is not officially commemorated, and open public debate is limited. However, private recollections and family stories continue to shape how individuals understand their past.
Interesting Facts, Myths, and Anecdotes
- The “Little Red Book”—Mao’s Quotations—became the best-selling book in history after the Bible, with copies in nearly every Chinese home.
- Some Red Guards traveled thousands of miles to meet Mao in person at massive rallies in Beijing.
- The “sent-down youth” campaign relocated millions of urban young people to the countryside, where they were expected to “learn from the peasants.”
- While the period is known for destruction, some aspects of Chinese culture survived, adapted, or quietly persisted under the radar.
- The end of the Cultural Revolution paved the way for economic reforms in the late 1970s, ultimately transforming China’s place in the world.
Modern Relevance
Shaping Today’s Chinese Identity
Although the Cultural Revolution is seen by many as a tragic period, its echoes are felt in Chinese politics, culture, and identity today. Educational reforms, family relationships, and even caution around mass movements and political cults all bear its imprint.
Lessons and Cautions
Globally, the Cultural Revolution stands as a powerful lesson about the dangers of excessive ideological zeal, unchecked power, and attacks on cultural heritage—reminders that resonate far beyond China.
Conclusion
The Cultural Revolution in China, launched in 1966, was a radical and turbulent decade of political, social, and cultural upheaval. It sought to reshape not only the structures of power, but also the daily lives, thoughts, and traditions of millions. Its scars and lessons continue to shape the outlook of generations of Chinese people, serving as a sobering chapter in both national and world history.
FAQ
What was the main purpose of the Cultural Revolution in China?
The Cultural Revolution aimed to preserve communist ideology, root out capitalist and traditional influences, and strengthen Mao Zedong’s control over the Communist Party and Chinese society.
Who were the Red Guards?
Red Guards were mostly students and young people who acted as loyal enforcers of Maoist ideals. They played a major role in identifying, criticizing, and sometimes persecuting those accused of betraying revolutionary principles.
Why did Mao Zedong launch the Cultural Revolution?
Mao feared the rise of “capitalist roaders” and wanted to revive what he felt was a fading revolutionary spirit. He also sought to reassert his leadership and renew radical communist values.
How did the Cultural Revolution impact education in China?
Schools and universities were largely shut down or repurposed. Education focused on political ideology rather than academic learning, and an entire generation lost years of formal education.
What are the “Four Olds” targeted during the Cultural Revolution?
The “Four Olds” were old customs, old culture, old habits, and old ideas. Campaigns against these targeted traditional practices, historical sites, and belief systems.
How did the Cultural Revolution affect Chinese families?
Families were often torn apart by suspicion and encouraged to denounce one another. Generational trust was damaged, and traditional hierarchies were disrupted.
When did the Cultural Revolution end and why?
It officially ended in 1976, following Mao’s death and the arrest of the “Gang of Four,” who were blamed for many of the period’s excesses.
Were there any positive outcomes from the Cultural Revolution?
While some intended to challenge social hierarchies and promote equality, most people today see the period as destructive, with devastating impacts on culture, education, and personal lives.
How is the Cultural Revolution remembered in modern China?
The Cultural Revolution is not officially commemorated, and open discussion can be sensitive. However, many families discuss their personal experiences privately, and the period is explored in memoirs and literature.
What lessons does the Cultural Revolution offer today?
It serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of personality cults, intolerance, and cultural destruction. It also highlights the need for careful balance between progress and respect for heritage.
