4.2 - Key features of the Cultural revolution Flashcards
What was the mass mobilisation and the role of young people?
One of the most important features of the cultural revolution was the way Mao mobilised young people to carry out ideas of the CR. First step in mass mobilisation was in August 1966, When a big character poster written by Mao himself published. He called upon young to attack revisionist in the CCP in a ‘Bombard the Headquarters’. Young people encouraged to attack authority and to regard a rebellion as a positive force for good.
The next stage in mobilising the young people was organising 8 mass rallies in Tiananmen square Beijing in Aug and Nov 1966. First rally was very popular. Over 1 million young people from across the country arrive in Beijing to see Mao. Crowd listened to a speech by Mao’s close supporter Lin Bao were they were encouraged to attack not only leaders of CCP adopting revisionist ideas but also all aspects of China’s culture regarded as old.
What was the attack on the ‘Four olds’?
Eight mass rallies launched the campaign against ‘Four olds’
-Old habitats
-Old ideas
-Old culture and customs
The young people encouraged to attack everything associated with the past nothing was considered worth preserving. Young people did it with great enthusiasm. They attacked churches and cultural sites invaded peoples homes to seize possessions that were associated with old bourgeoisie. Only presence of PLA stopped them from destroying bigger monuments.
Who were the red guards
Red guards where students and schoolchildren formed themseleves into units to carry out Mao’s instructions to attack opponents of revolution wore military uniform with red armband and a leather belt. They were very loyal to Mao.
Number of red guards grew rapidly in August 1966 first memebrs were children of party officals. Coming from elite middle schools in China and could claim to have excellent class background. However every young person from bad class backgrounds were allowed to join. They were often the most violent of the red guards wanted to prove loyalty to Mao. Organisation allowed young people from all backgrounds to settle old arguments and to get revenge on those who punished them in the past. Many mass rallies between August and Nov 1966, Carried messages throughout China. They travelled free on the railways.
What were the effects of the red guards on violence during the Cultural revolution?
Red guards responsible for most violent phase of CR. Members carried out frenzied acts of violence in implements attack on the four olds In struggle sessions their victims forced onto their knees and were made to confess their crimes if resisted beaten until they kicked and they submitted
Red guards were able to carry out these acts of violence because they had officals approval. Members of the red guards chose their own victims also occasions wen they attacks directed at the CCRG by Madame Mao. Mao did not call an end to the violence as it was effective in removing opponent. Beijing and Shanghai saw the worst of the violence in 1966-76 more than 67,000 people were killed in Guangxi province alone.
What was the cult of Mao and the little red book?
CR made possible by cult of Mao his was a personality cult. Gave Mao a special status and involved the worship of Mao. Busts and statues of Mao were everywhere of China in streets and public buildings factories and schools. Mao had huge degree of power over young people. He was regarded a God. Was worshipped as a great hero saved China from foreign domination and brought communism. Now young people were given task of saving revolution from acts of revisionist
devoting themseleves to obedience. Mao’s teaching were regarded as absolute truth.
Attitude to Mao been developed by careful propaganda campaign that placed Mao above all CCP leaders. Very successful among young people.
Mao was production and use of little red book collection of Mao’s well known sayings for PA soon as it became a vital element of cr. Every RG used it as their guidance for behaviour.
What was the impact of the cultural revolution on education?
Importance of Young people to the CR made it unavoidable that the education system would be involved in the events. Intellectuals identified as enemies in the attack on the 4 olds children would turn against their teachers as reactionaries holding back communism. Revolution began in university town of Qinghua RG formed in May 1966. Soon spread from university students to involved children in colleges and school. By end of year all schools and collages were closed so children could take party in revolutionary struggle many teachers tortured and beaten.
How did the PLA end the violence?
Mao encouraged the use of violence by the red guards. He told them disorder and chaos was good. In January 1967, China had fallen into near-anarchy. Red guards turned against one another and attacked workers unit that had been formed in factories. All this worried PLA army was concerned that continued radicalism of RG turn against PLA. Military leaders did not want army to be forced to make confessions. Therefore anxious to take control of cultural revolution from red guards.
Mao would not become involved. However by Sep 1967 even he was concerned about behaviour of Red guards feared that it weakened China and foreign powers might try to take advantage of the situation and seize Chinese territory in 1968, Mao ordered military to destroy the Red guards and regain control. PLA closed down RG newspapers and reopened the schools to encourage young people to leave the streets and return to education. PLA conducted a purge of Red guards. Thousands were killed.
What was the up to the mountains and down to the villages campaign?
Most violent phase of the CR been brought to end by 1969. There was now a problem with what to do with the millions of radicalised young people who had flooded into cities to lead revolution. Mao wanted an end to their violent behaviour in towns and cities. Party now encouraged a new revolutionary experience for young heading to the countryside to learn how the peasants lived. Mao never stopped believing that the peasants were the centre of the communist revolution. the young people were now educated in the realities of rural life more effectively under control of PLA.
Vast majority of young people did not enjoy peasant life work was difficult and standards of living low. Peasants did not welcome extra moves to feed because they had not been given additional rations.
Millions of young people forced into the countryside were thoroughly disillusioned by the campaign. Experience made them questions the authority of the party and their faith in Mao.
What did Mao do to remove the opposition to him in the communist party?
One reason who Mao started the CR was because he believed may members of the CCP were revisionist who has become to fond of power and good living preventing it from progressing. He wanted to purge the party of these people Red guard played important role. Attacked cadres who were accused of acting like capital who were accused of acting like capitalist rather than communist purge was successful By 1969 more than 70 percent of the provincial and regional party officals and 60 per cent of the highest level officals of the highest level officals in the national party removed. Replaced by member of the PLA that now became very powerful in CCP. Suited Mao very well new members of the Central committee were frantically devoted to him.
Mao also wanted the removing leading members of CCP who he believed were ignoring him because of his age and did not agree with the economic policies that they had implemented after GLF. He identified Liu Shaoqi head of state as biggest enemy. In party conference in October 1966 Mao criticised Li forcing him to confess to betraying the revolution he was arrest and imprisoned
