The Cultural Revolution

The Cultural Revolution

The Cultural Revolution was lead by Mao Zedong, chairman of the Chinese Communist Party. He wanted to renew the spirit of the Chinese Revolution. He feared that China would start developing along the thoughts of the Soviet models, and he was also concerned about his name in History. Therefore, he led the cities of China into a agitated situation, a land full of protest. Mao wanted China to have peasants, workers and educated people working together. Everyone was of equal class status, no one was better than anyone else.

The Cultural Revolution started in 1965, when Lin Piao made a speech encouraging students to criticize the liberals in the Chinese Communist Party, or those influenced by the thoughts of the USSR. They formed a group called the "Red Guards", who criticized the people that Mao disliked. Anyone who was known to be superior was considered an enemy of the group. One of his main enemies were Liu Shao-Qiu.

Mao created a cult for himself, and to clear and remove any members of the Communist Party who did not support him. He led youth to protest freely. In August 1966, Mao formally launched the Cultural Revolution. He shut down China's schools. The Red Guards started to tear down any form of traditional value, proceeded to violence, and even attacked foreign embassies. The country had gotten out of hand, and the economy was dropping.

Many elderly, intellectuals were physically abused. Many died.

Zhou Enlai wanted the