The Cultural Revolution: 1966-76 Flashcards
(40 cards)
Describe the origins of the Cultural Revolution.
The Cultural Revolution originated from the catastrophic Great Leap Forward (1958-62), which aimed to modernize China through collectivization but resulted in a severe famine and the deaths of at least 45 million people. Mao felt his power slipping to moderates and sought to recreate conditions of uncertainty and chaos.
Explain Mao’s opposition to private farming and free markets during the Cultural Revolution.
Mao opposed private farming and free markets because they undermined the collectivist principles of communism. The attempts by Liu Shaoqi and Deng Xiaoping to restore the economy through private ownership made Mao uneasy, leading him to frame the Cultural Revolution as a struggle between the proletariat and the bourgeoisie.
Define the Sino-Soviet split and its significance in the context of the Cultural Revolution.
The Sino-Soviet split was a political and ideological rift between China and the Soviet Union that began in 1958. Mao’s suspicion of Khrushchev and accusations of ‘revisionism’ contributed to this divide, influencing Mao’s approach during the Cultural Revolution as he sought to assert China’s revolutionary path.
How did Mao utilize the younger generation during the Cultural Revolution?
Mao focused on the younger generation as the heirs to the revolution, educating them in class hatred and encouraging them to study his works. He aimed to instill revolutionary vigilance and mobilize them against perceived enemies of the state.
Describe the Socialist Education Campaign launched by Mao in 1962.
The Socialist Education Campaign aimed to intensify class struggle, raise revolutionary vigilance, and curb economic activities outside the planned economy. It involved punishing party members accused of taking the ‘capitalist road’ and promoting the slogan ‘Never Forget Class Struggle’.
Explain the role of Lin Biao in the early years leading up to the Cultural Revolution.
Lin Biao played a significant role in the early years leading up to the Cultural Revolution by helping to compile the ‘Little Red Book’, which contained Mao’s thoughts and teachings, further promoting Maoist ideology among the populace.
What was the impact of the Great Leap Forward on Mao’s leadership?
The Great Leap Forward severely damaged Mao’s leadership, leading to a loss of power to moderates like Liu Shaoqi and Deng Xiaoping. It prompted Mao to initiate the Cultural Revolution to regain control and eliminate opposition.
Discuss the significance of the slogan ‘Never Forget Class Struggle’ during the Cultural Revolution.
The slogan ‘Never Forget Class Struggle’ was significant as it urged Mao’s followers to remain vigilant against class enemies and reinforced the ideological framework of the Cultural Revolution, emphasizing the ongoing struggle between the proletariat and bourgeoisie.
Describe the significance of the Little Red Book in Mao’s China.
The Little Red Book, a collection of Mao’s thoughts and sayings, became the secular bible of China, with 750 million copies distributed. It was essential for the political indoctrination of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and was used in various institutions, reinforcing Mao’s ideology.
How did Mao’s view of the USSR influence his policies during the Cultural Revolution?
Mao’s suspicion of the USSR and his belief that it had abandoned Marxist principles influenced his policies during the Cultural Revolution by fostering a sense of independence in China’s revolutionary path and justifying his actions against perceived internal and external threats.
Explain the role of the Red Guards during the Cultural Revolution.
The Red Guards were a youth movement encouraged by Mao to rebel against traditional authority and promote communist ideology. They targeted teachers, intellectuals, and perceived ‘bad elements,’ leading to widespread violence and the breakdown of social order.
How did Mao’s message to the youth impact traditional values in China?
Mao’s message encouraged young people to reject traditional values and authority, leading them to insult and abuse parents and teachers, which resulted in a cultural upheaval and the destruction of longstanding customs and practices.
Define the ‘Four Olds’ and their significance in the Cultural Revolution.
The ‘Four Olds’ referred to old ideas, old culture, old customs, and old habits. Mao urged the youth to attack these elements as part of the Cultural Revolution, aiming to create a new socialist order by eliminating traditional influences.
What were the consequences of the Red Guards’ actions on Chinese society?
The actions of the Red Guards led to violence, factional fighting, and a breakdown of authority, as individuals turned against friends and family to avoid being labeled ‘reactionary,’ resulting in chaos and social disruption.
Describe the event that took place on August 18th, 1966, in Tiananmen Square.
On August 18th, 1966, over a million young people gathered in Tiananmen Square, where Mao encouraged them to ‘Bombard the Headquarters,’ inciting them to criticize and attack party members and government officials.
How did the Cultural Revolution affect education in China?
The Cultural Revolution led to the closure of schools and universities due to widespread disruption caused by the Red Guards, halting educational activities and impacting the academic development of the youth.
What was the response of the PLA to the chaos caused by the Red Guards?
As the Cultural Revolution spiraled out of control, orders were given for the PLA to take over the Red Guards, aiming to restore order and mitigate the violence and disruption caused by the youth movement.
Explain the irony of Mao’s call for the youth to overthrow the old.
The irony lies in the fact that Mao, at the age of 73, was urging the young to rebel against the old, despite being a part of the older generation himself, highlighting the generational conflict he sought to instigate.
Describe the impact of the ‘up to the mountains’ campaign on young people in China.
The ‘up to the mountains’ campaign led to over 16 million young people moving from towns to the countryside between 1967 and 1972, resulting in a ‘lost generation’ that missed out on education due to the closure of schools and universities.
How did the Cultural Revolution contribute to a state of civil war in China?
The Cultural Revolution led to chaos as rival factions, including students and workers, battled in cities, creating a state of virtual civil war until Mao intervened to send urban youth for ‘re-education’ and restore order.
Explain the role of Revolutionary Committees during the Black Years (1968-1971).
Revolutionary Committees took over the party and state, often controlled by army officers, concentrating real power in the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and turning the country into a garrison state overseeing various sectors.
Define the term ‘red terror’ in the context of the Cultural Revolution.
‘Red terror’ refers to the initial wave of violence and persecution led by students during the Cultural Revolution, targeting perceived enemies and traitors, which escalated into widespread chaos.
What measures did Mao take to regain control during the Cultural Revolution?
Mao issued instructions to send millions of urban youth to the countryside for ‘re-education’ and ordered the army to restore order, effectively establishing a military dictatorship.
Describe the consequences of the Cultural Revolution on the population of China.
Historians estimate that between 500,000 and two million people lost their lives due to the Cultural Revolution, with reports of mass killings, torture, and even cannibalism in certain regions.
