The Cultural Revolution: A Dark Chapter in Chinese History

What movement did Mao Zedong launch in the late 1960s?

A. The Great Leap Forward

B. The Cultural Revolution

C. The Long March

D. The Five-Year Plan

Answer:

B. The Cultural Revolution

Explanation:

Chairman Mao's Cultural Revolution (1966-1976) aimed to prevent "revisionism" and revive support for the Chinese communist system. The movement sought to eradicate old cultural norms and bourgeois influences.

The Cultural Revolution was a tumultuous period characterized by widespread social upheaval and political purges in China. Initiated by Mao Zedong, the movement aimed to preserve communist ideology and eliminate perceived capitalist and traditionalist influences.

During the Cultural Revolution, millions of individuals, including intellectuals, party officials, and ordinary citizens, were subjected to persecution and violence. Public humiliation, forced labor, and imprisonment were common tactics used to enforce conformity to Mao's vision of a revolutionary society.

Mao's true motives for launching the Cultural Revolution were multifaceted. While the official rhetoric emphasized ideological purity and the eradication of counter-revolutionary elements, many scholars argue that Mao's primary goal was to consolidate his power within the Communist Party and eliminate potential rivals.

The Cultural Revolution left a lasting impact on Chinese society, with deep scars that continue to shape attitudes towards political dissent and historical memory. The period remains a contentious and sensitive topic in modern China, reflecting the complex legacy of Mao Zedong's rule.