The Cultural Revolution in China

China Becomes a Nuclear Power and Mao's Ideological Shift

• In 1964, China successfully tested its first atomic bomb at the Lop Nor Desert, solidifying its status as a major world power.
• Mao Zedong declared that China would never again be humiliated, especially after conflicts with Japan and the United States, and the split from the Soviet Union.

Distancing from the Soviet Union

• After the Soviet Union refused to assist China in developing nuclear weapons, China distanced itself from the Soviet Union and its new leadership under Alexei Kosygin, leading to an ideological and political rift.

Mao's Critique of Soviet Policy

• Mao viewed Soviet policy in the 1960s as a departure from original communist ideals, criticizing the downplaying of class struggle and the notion of peaceful competition with capitalism.
• He feared the end of the revolution and the rise of bureaucratic elitism within the party, which he had previously combatted through mass campaigns.
• Mao then turned to the cultural sector, using its interpretive openness to attack those suspected of supporting revisionist efforts, starting in late 1965.

Seeking New Alliances

• Mao sought new allies outside the Soviet Union and found a reliable partner in isolated Albania.
• During Albanian Prime Minister Mehmet Shehu's visit to Beijing in June 1966, Mao finalized his plans to regain unlimited power in China.

Mao's Return to the World Stage

• In July 1966, Mao marked his return with a publicized swim in the Yangtze River, symbolizing his vitality and control, and dispelling rumors of illness or death.

Launching the Cultural Revolution

• Upon returning to Beijing, Mao initiated a coup under the guise of ideological reform, utilizing his high esteem and propaganda.
• He convened a political bureau meeting, advocating for the implementation of constitutional rights like freedom of speech and press, which were then leaked to the public, galvanizing support for his movement.

Attacking the Educational Sector

• Mao used wall newspapers to denounce teachers and education officials for spreading bourgeois ideas and called on students to combat counter-revolutionary revisionists.
• Slogans and works by Mao were widely distributed and sold, with Mao proclaiming that "rebellion is justified."

The Red Guards and the Destruction of Old Values

• The Cultural Revolution initially targeted the educational sector, aiming to reform schools and universities.
• In late 1966, the Red Guards formed spontaneously, becoming a national movement by August 1966.
• They aimed to destroy the "Four Olds": old thinking, old culture, old morals, and old customs.
• "Red August" saw widespread attacks on perceived class enemies, including teachers and descendants of former elites, who were physically assaulted and sometimes killed.
• Professors and party carders were publicly humiliated and mistreated, often forced to wear pointed hats of shame.
• The Red Guards roamed cities, targeting individuals labeled as delinquents, leading to widespread terror and violence.
• Examples of violence include the stabbing of a high school teacher by his students.

Red Terror

• The Red Guards created an environment of "Red Terror,"

Purges and Labor Service

• Officials deemed unsuitable were removed from office and sent to the countryside for labor service, with some driven to suicide. Police were ordered not to interfere with the Red Guards' actions.

Escalation of Violence

• The most severe terror occurred in "Red August," toppling social hierarchies and resulting in previously unthinkable acts of violence.
• The majority of victims of the Cultural Revolution were affected from 1968 to 1970 through state-led campaigns targeting alleged enemies.
• In Harbin, photographer Li Zhengxing documented public executions of alleged counter-revolutionaries, highlighting the brutal implementation of politics and interests in China.

Destruction & Social Impact

• Within weeks, the Red Guards stormed over 30,000 apartments in Beijing, destroying property and killing residents.
• Millions of Chinese destroyed their own books and art to avoid suspicion.
• City streets were renamed with revolutionary titles, such as the Soviet embassy's new address: Anti-Revisionist Street.
• Mao justified these actions with the theory that "without destruction, there can be no construction."
• Two-thirds of all historical monuments were destroyed, with the Red Guards vandalizing the Summer Palace, replacing historical murals with Mao slogans and propaganda.
• The Forbidden City was sealed off to protect it from vandalism.
• The movement was driven by both political fanaticism and personal revenge, with various social groups using it to address their issues.
• Children of so-called class enemies sought better access to universities, and applicants were chosen based on performance rather than social background.
• The terror destroyed social solidarity, with children denouncing parents, neighbors betraying each other, and friends turning on one another.
• Decades of indoctrination influenced the youth, with slogans like "Parents are the loveliest people in the world, but no one can compare with Chairman Mao."

The Little Red Book

• The "Little Red Book," or "Mao Bible," became a revolutionary routine.
• This small collection of Mao's sayings, organized by themes, was intended to educate soldiers and promote Mao Zedong's thoughts.
• The book gained cult status among the Red Guards and was initially banned, making it a desirable and revolutionary item.
• By the second half of 1966, it became widely available, with every household owning a copy.
• Children instructed their parents in the meaning of the revolutionary writings, and study sessions were organized in factories, government organizations, and farms.

The Mao Cult

• The Mao cult took on the appearance of a religious ritual, with workers bowing to Mao's picture at the start and end of each day and business letters beginning with quotes from Mao.
• Maoism permeated every level of society, with Mao's doctrine spread to even the most remote provinces.

Spreading Maoism to Remote Regions

• Young Red Guards brought mobile cinemas to remote villages, allowing villagers to see Mao for the first time.
• Mao used direct contact, radio, and TV to disseminate the goals of the Cultural Revolution.
• He aimed to energize the revolution through a direct leader-allegiance relationship, rather than through youth leagues or state media.

Mass Gatherings and Rallies

• Mao decreed that every Chinese should visit Beijing once in their lifetime, organizing mass meetings on Tiananmen Square.
• The Little Red Book served as a political pass, symbolizing political persuasion and providing security.
• Newspapers reported on the events as if Mao had appeared as a saint, with Mao finding his power intoxicating.

Abuse of Power

• Mao's overwhelming leadership led to a lack of criticism and control, fostering pride and arrogance.
• Power corrupts, turning Mao into a "madman" by the time of the Cultural Revolution.
• With fanatical masses behind him, Mao secured unconditional obedience.