Imagine a country turning its world upside down in the name of revolution. In the 1960s and 70s, China underwent the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution—a tumultuous movement that shaped the lives, beliefs, and art of millions. Its echoes are still felt in Chinese society today. In this article, we’ll explore the origins, key events, and lasting impact of the Cultural Revolution, and consider how it continues to influence modern China. Curious?
Read on to uncover the story behind one of China’s most defining moments.
What Was the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution in China?
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The Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution, widely known simply as the Cultural Revolution, was a complex and turbulent period in modern Chinese history. Initiated by Chairman Mao Zedong in 1966, it spanned a full decade, profoundly shaping the nation. Its motives, actions, and outcomes remain deeply significant in Chinese cultural memory and global understanding of 20th-century history. Let’s explore the origins, significance, key events, and the ongoing legacy of this extraordinary era.
Origins and Historical Background
Seeds of Revolution
The story of the Cultural Revolution begins in the shadow of earlier upheavals. After the disastrous Great Leap Forward (1958–1962), which caused widespread famine and millions of deaths, leadership within the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) grew divided. Mao Zedong, the Party’s founder and China’s paramount leader, became concerned that the revolutionary fervor he had unleashed was fading, and that new, more pragmatic leaders were moving China away from his radical socialist ideals.
Political Motives
Officially, the Cultural Revolution aimed to “preserve true Communist ideology” by eliminating “counter-revolutionary” elements of society—capitalist tendencies, old customs, and traditional culture and beliefs. On a personal level, however, Mao also sought to reassert his dominance over the CCP, which was increasingly controlled by more moderate figures like Liu Shaoqi and Deng Xiaoping.
The Outbreak: How Did It Start?
The launch of the Cultural Revolution is typically traced to 1966. It began with a series of ideological campaigns against perceived enemies within the Party, intellectuals, and anyone labeled as insufficiently revolutionary. Mao called on the youth to join the movement, leading to the spontaneous formation of “Red Guard” groups in schools and universities across the country.
The Role of the Red Guards
Red Guards—young, enthusiastic, and fiercely loyal to Mao—became the movement’s shock troops. With Mao’s blessing, they attacked “the Four Olds”: old customs, old culture, old habits, and old ideas. Statues, temples, historical texts, and works of art were destroyed; teachers, intellectuals, and officials were publicly humiliated or punished. Chinese cities and countryside alike were swept up in a wave of revolutionary zeal and violence.
Cultural Meaning and Symbolism
A Revolution Beyond Politics
While the Cultural Revolution was, in part, a political power struggle, it was also deeply cultural. It targeted the heart of what it meant to be Chinese—beliefs, traditions, the arts, language, family life, and education. The language of daily life changed, with Mao’s sayings and “revolutionary slogans” replacing traditional proverbs and literary references.
Symbols and Slogans
Iconography emerged: Mao’s image dominated propaganda posters, red armbands became a badge of revolutionary purity, and the “Little Red Book” (Quotations from Chairman Mao) was carried as a symbol of devotion. The color red, always prominent in Chinese symbolism, took on new political intensity.
Daily Life Under the Cultural Revolution
Upheaval and Uncertainty
For ordinary Chinese people, life became unpredictable and often dangerous. Schools and universities were temporarily closed as young people devoted themselves to revolutionary activities. Workplaces and communities became battlegrounds for ideological struggle. Accusations could mean public humiliation, physical violence, imprisonment, or worse.
The “Sent-Down Youth” Movement
In the late 1960s, as chaos spread in the cities, millions of urban youths were sent to rural areas “to learn from the peasants.” This dramatically changed the lives of an entire generation, separating families and creating lasting personal scars.
Impact on Culture, Traditions, and the Arts
Destruction and Reinvention
The Cultural Revolution was devastating for Chinese cultural heritage. Temples, historical sites, ancestral tablets, ancient books, and works of art were destroyed or defaced by the Red Guards and revolutionaries eager to eradicate “old culture.” Traditional practices, festivals, and folk rituals were suppressed, sometimes erased entirely in certain areas.
Revolutionary Arts
Ironically, even as traditional culture was attacked, a new revolutionary culture was promoted. Model “revolutionary operas” and ballets replaced classic works, celebrating communist heroes and Maoist virtue. Propaganda art flourished, presenting idealized images of workers, soldiers, and peasants.
Key Variations and Related Movements
Who Participated?
The Cultural Revolution affected nearly every aspect of Chinese society, but the experience varied by region, class, age, and occupation. While the Red Guards were mostly students, workers, soldiers, rural farmers, teachers, and intellectuals were all drawn into its orbit.
Related Concepts
The Cultural Revolution is often discussed alongside other Communist movements in China, such as the earlier Great Leap Forward. Its focus on youth mobilization, mass campaigns, ideological purity, and iconoclasm also drew inspiration from—and in some ways intensified—earlier waves of revolutionary communist practice.
Events and Practices: How the Cultural Revolution Unfolded
Phases of the Revolution
- Initial Uprising (1966–1968):
- Widespread attacks on authority figures and intellectuals; violence and public struggles dominated public life.
- “Cleansing the Ranks” (1969–1971):
- The army took control, attempting to restore order. Internal Party rivalry peaked.
- Final Years (1972–1976):
- Some stability returned, but political purges, suspicion, and cultural controls remained.
Rites and Rituals
Political meetings, self-criticism sessions, and public rallies became daily routines. People competed to display loyalty, often in exaggerated ways: singing revolutionary songs, reading Mao’s words aloud, and participating in mass demonstrations.
Interesting Facts, Myths, and Anecdotes
- The “Little Red Book”: Now a cultural relic, this collection of Mao’s sayings was required reading and a compulsory accessory for millions.
- Mao Badges: Collectible pins bearing Mao’s portrait were worn by Red Guards and ordinary citizens—a symbol of loyalty and a safeguard against suspicion.
- Myth of the “New Man”: The Cultural Revolution promoted the idea that China could create a new, ideal socialist citizen by erasing the old self.
- Tragic Ironies: Many of those who initially supported the Revolution later became its victims, including senior Party officials.
- Folklore and Storytelling: Stories of suffering and heroism during these years are passed down in families—a reminder of both trauma and resilience.
Lasting Legacy and Modern Relevance
Aftermath: Trauma and Transformation
The Cultural Revolution ended with Mao’s death in 1976 and the arrest of the “Gang of Four,” his radical allies. In the years that followed, China underwent sweeping reforms under new leadership. The period was officially condemned as a “catastrophe” that brought enormous harm to the country.
Memory and Reflection
Today, the Cultural Revolution remains a sensitive subject in China, sometimes avoided in public discussion but alive in personal memory and art. For many, it represents both a cautionary tale about extremism and a complicated chapter in the ongoing story of what it means to be Chinese.
Modern Relevance
While not celebrated as a festival or marked by rituals in the way traditional events are, the Cultural Revolution echoes in Chinese attitudes toward education, authority, and social change. It is the subject of literature, film, and personal reminiscence, shaping contemporary debates about history, justice, and culture.
Conclusion
The Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution was not simply a political campaign—it was a profound interruption in the flow of Chinese cultural, social, and personal life. Its legacies are felt in China’s evolving relationship with its own traditions and modernization. Understanding the Cultural Revolution is essential for anyone seeking to comprehend China’s modern journey, the resilience of its people, and the intricate interplay between memory and identity.
FAQ
What was the main goal of the Cultural Revolution?
The official goal was to preserve and strengthen communism by removing so-called “capitalist,” traditional, and counter-revolutionary elements from Chinese society. Mao also wanted to reaffirm his leadership and revive revolutionary zeal.
When did the Cultural Revolution take place?
It began in 1966 and officially ended in 1976, following Mao Zedong’s death and the arrest of his closest radical supporters.
Who were the Red Guards?
The Red Guards were mostly young students inspired by Mao to challenge authority figures, attack old customs, and spread revolutionary ideology through activism, often including public humiliation or violence.
How did the Cultural Revolution impact daily life in China?
Daily life became unpredictable and often dangerous. People faced accusations, public shaming, loss of jobs, and, in some cases, imprisonment or worse. Schools were closed for years, families were separated, and traditional customs were suppressed.
What kinds of cultural destruction occurred during this period?
Many historical landmarks, temples, books, and artworks were destroyed or defaced. Traditional practices and rituals were banned, and even family altars and ancestral tablets were targeted.
How did the Cultural Revolution end?
The movement lost intensity in the 1970s as the government restored order and Mao’s health declined. It formally ended after Mao’s death in 1976 and the arrest of the “Gang of Four,” who were blamed for the turmoil.
What is the legacy of the Cultural Revolution in China today?
The Cultural Revolution left deep psychological and cultural scars. It is officially recognized in China as a serious mistake and is not commemorated. However, it continues to affect discussions about education, culture, social stability, and political reform.
Are there any commemorations or festivals related to the Cultural Revolution?
No, the Cultural Revolution is not celebrated and is generally not memorialized in public festivals or ceremonies. It is more often a subject of reflection and remembrance in private or artistic contexts.
Why was the Cultural Revolution called “great” and “proletarian”?
The term “great” emphasized its intended transformative scale, while “proletarian” highlighted its supposed aim to empower the working class and remove elite influences.
Where can I learn more about individual experiences during the Cultural Revolution?
Personal memoirs, historical fiction, films, and documentaries often capture individual stories from the period. Notable authors and filmmakers who lived through the era have produced powerful works that provide personal perspectives on these challenging years.
