Chapter 4 - Cultural revolution and its impact, 1965-76 Flashcards
(31 cards)
What were Mao’s motives in the Cultural Revolution
- Desire for a permanent revolution
- Provide a test for the young people
- Prevent the revolution being undermined by revisionists
- To remove ‘self-satisfied’ bureaucrats who were motivated by the privileges of power
- Remove opponents in the CCP who did not support Mao
When was the first rally for the young people held
18 August 1966
What were the ‘Four Olds’
- Old habits
- Old ideas
- Old culture
- Old customs
What did the young people under the instruction of Mao for the cultural revolution
- Churches
- Cultural sites
- Invaded peoples homes to seize possessions associated with the ‘Olds’
When was the term ‘Red Guards’ first used
May 1966
What were the ‘Red Guards’
Students and Schoolchildren
A unit to carry out Mao’s instructions to attack the opponents of the revolution.
Which social classes did the ‘Red Guards’ come from?
At the beginning it was mostly elite middle schools - excellent class background
Soon ‘ bad-class ‘ backgrounds were allowed to join
Who were responsible for the most violent phase of the cultural revolution?
the ‘red guards’
How many people were killed in the Guangxi province from 1966-76 because of the violence of the ‘red guards’
67,000
What was the Cult of Mao
- Gave Mao special status and involved worshipping him
- Had power over young people
- Seen like a God
- Worshiped as a great hero who saved China from foreign domination
- His teachings were regarded as absolute truth
What was an essential aspect of the Cult of Mao
the ‘little red book’
When was the ‘Little Red Book’ published?
1964
What was in the ‘Little Red Book’
Mao’s most well-known sayings for the PLA
It was a guidance of behaviour for every ‘Red Guard’
Who were the first victims of the ‘Red Guards’ and young people
Teachers
By when was China in near-anarchy
January 1967
When was the military ordered to destroy the ‘Red Guards’
1968
What happened to all of the radicalised young people that flooded cities to lead the revolutions (red guards)
Sent to the countryside
Educated in the realities of rural life
More under control for the PLA
Reasons for the ‘up to the mountains and down to the villages’ campaign
- Reduce unemployment in cities
- Send Red Guards to areas where they could do less damage
- Teach Urban youth about the lives of peasants
- Increase military control over young people of PLA controlled farms
By 1969 what % of provincial and regional party officials were removed?
70%
By 1969 what % of highest-level officials in the national Party were removed?
60%
Impact of the Cultural Revolution on Mao’s position
- Became more powerful
- Created complete obedience to the leader (himself)
- Removed all opponents (unchallenged leader)
- Laogi for more re-educated / loyal people
In what camps was loyalty to Mao created - also known as re-education camps
Laogi
Impact of the Cultural Revolution on China’s economy
- Many suspected un-loyal managers were removed and replacements lacked necessary skill to run the successful businesses
- Trains used to transport Red Guards meant that there was a shortage of materials and goods being transported
- Production of material fell
Between 1966 and 1970 how much did industrial production fall?
13%
