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The Cultural Revolution: causes and the Red Guards
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In 1966 Mao launched the Cultural Revolution. Millions of young Red Guards attacked anything old and anyone seen as an enemy.
Reasons
Power struggle: after the Great Leap, Liu Shaoqi and Deng Xiaoping had gained influence. Mao wanted to remove them.
Purifying communism: Mao feared China was slipping back to capitalism and wanted to renew revolutionary spirit. The Socialist Education Movement (from 1963) and his attacks on education were early signs.
Purifying communism: Mao feared China was slipping back to capitalism and wanted to renew revolutionary spirit. The Socialist Education Movement (from 1963) and his attacks on education were early signs.
The Red Guards
Mao used his hold on young people. In 1966 he held huge rallies in Tiananmen Square for millions of Red Guards.
They carried the Little Red Book of Mao's quotations.
Jiang Qing, Mao's wife, led attacks on culture and on party leaders.
They carried the Little Red Book of Mao's quotations.
Jiang Qing, Mao's wife, led attacks on culture and on party leaders.
The Red Terror
Red Guards attacked the Four Olds: old customs, old culture, old habits and old ideas.
Temples, books and artworks were destroyed. Teachers and officials were beaten, humiliated or killed.
Rival Red Guard groups fought each other, and China slid towards anarchy.
Temples, books and artworks were destroyed. Teachers and officials were beaten, humiliated or killed.
Rival Red Guard groups fought each other, and China slid towards anarchy.
Explain why Mao launched the Cultural Revolution.
- He had lost influence after the Great Leap Forward.
- Liu Shaoqi and Deng Xiaoping were running the economy in ways he disliked.
- By mobilising young people against them, he could regain power and renew the revolution.
Answer: To remove rivals such as Liu and Deng and renew revolutionary spirit.
Mao launched the Cultural Revolution (1966) to remove rivals (Liu, Deng) and purify communism. Red Guards, inspired by mass rallies and the Little Red Book, and encouraged by Jiang Qing, attacked the Four Olds and party officials, causing chaos.
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