Cultural Revolution Begins in China
May 16, 1966 · 20th Century
The Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution, a sociopolitical movement, was launched by Chairman Mao Zedong in May 1966. It aimed to preserve Chinese socialism by purging supposed capitalist and traditional elements from society and reimposing Maoist ideology as the dominant doctrine. The movement led to widespread social, political, and economic upheaval throughout China that lasted until 1976.
Key Figures
Mao ZedongJiang QingLin BiaoChen Boda
Locations
BeijingTiananmen SquareZhongnanhai
Topics
maoismChinarevolutionPRCpeople
Connected Events — 2 Connections
Cultural Revolution established CCP institutional mechanisms for mass political reeducation campaigns that the Xinjiang internment system later replicated Modern Uyghur Genocide
The Cultural Revolution's devastating economic and social damage created the political mandate for Deng's market reforms — he himself had been purged twice during Mao's campaigns Deng Xiaoping Launches Reform and Opening Up
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