What was the China's Cultural Revolution?

Answer 1

In general, Cultural Revolution refers to a period in recent Chinese history under Communist rule of Mao Tse-Dong. The full name is actually "The Great Proletarian Cultural Revoltuion". It started in 1966 and its end date is in doubt. Officially it ended in 1969 but many practices did not end until 1976.

It is widely regarded as a move by Mao Tse-Dong and his two senior lieutenants, Lin Biao and Jian Qing (also his wife) to incite the masses and regain power from his two rivals, Den XiaoPing and Liu XiaoQi.

The short version: The past couple years were not very good for China. Bad weather, and a failed attempt to raise industrial output, and widespread corruption lead to severe rationing and famine. The failed venture of Chinese intervention in Korean peninsula (the Korean War) went nowhere either. The people are angry, and they have no outlet.

It all started with a play, which was just a historical drama about an honest official resigning, refusing to serve under a corrupt emperor. Jian Qing, Mao's wife, chose to interpret this as an affront to Mao's authority (by inferring Mao as the corrupt emperor) and made a big deal out of it. Mao was also pushing for more socialism in China, and the two ran together and became a movement to smash all the old, corrupt, elitist culture and their remnants. Red Guards, which often were composed of youths who can barely read, were formed as units, and actively went after intellectuals (such as whoever wrote that play). This resulted in huge book-burning rallys, where regular civilians were judged by these vigilante Red Guards and their lives completely ruined. Mao even issued an decree ordering police to NOT interfere in Red Guard activities. Any police who disobeyed was labelled a counterrevolutionary and jailed, or sent to reeducation camp out into the boonies. Most never made their way back. In fact, almost ANYBODY can be labelled as counterrevolutionary... just try arguing with a Red Guard about anything. You'll be sent off to an reeducation camp in no time.

By 1967, the Red Guards are everywhere, even taking over Army positions and equipment. The officials started purging each other, each afraid of being Red Guard's next target, being labelled as counterrevolutionary.

By 1968, even Mao Tse-Dong realized how much damage the Red Guads have done, and ordered the Red Guards to the countryside in order to smooth over their disruption. A year later, he disbanded all the Red Guards, as their purpose of consolidating his power is has been reached, and are no longer needed.

Current Chinese Communist History acknowledge Cultural Revolution as a major mistake made by Mao (though at the behest of his lieutenants).

Answer 2

The Communists had been in power a long time Mike. Anyway, Madame Mao got an internal revolution started to stop any outside influence on the Chinese people. A lot like Hitler by burning books, executing teachers, etc. Remember, Communism will not work where people are educated and have a view of the outside world. Eastern Europe shows that.

Answer 3

When they started breaking up the Dynasties and started separation for cast systems in general. They are now in one now as well. Religious beliefs of Budhism/hindu, had a lot to do with some of the changes. My suggestion is that you go to the www.history.com and they will give you all you need on China past, present and future.

Answer 4

China's culteral revolution is the polite way of saying when they rebelled and installed a communist government...

the details are far too immense to go into it here, but thats it in a nut shell