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History of The Cultural Revolution


The Preface (1964-66)
The preface of the Cultural Revolution began when Mao Zedong and Jiang Qing started to criticize intellectualism. This campaign influenced the Chinese, and soon it would spur into a movement.

The Beginning (Oct,1966-)
In 1966, the Cultural Revolution was formally started. Mao and Jiang organized students called "Red Guards", using them to spread their ideology and theory on Socialism around the country.

Severe Confusion (1967)
In 1967, the Cultural Revolution Authority including Jiang and Lin established a Revolutionary Committee at Shanghai. In this way, China dropped into anarchy.

China in Chaos (1967)
A campaign of expressing traitors and revolutionary criticism campaign began. The members of the CR Authority beat high ranking officials, using the Red Guards. One of the important member in CCP, Liu Shoqi was also purged then.

Wuhan Incident (July,1968)
Big battles among soldiers and the people occurred in Wuhan. The CR authorities encouraged the people to battle the military authority of Wuhan. The people of Wuhan divided into a group supporting the military authority and rebels supported by the Cultural Revolution authority.

The Expansion of Its Impact (1967,68)
The impact on the CR expanded various fields like the economy. Mao told the people to neglect the CCP, further confusing the intentions of the Communist party.

Criticism against Liu Shoqi (Oct,1968)
During the Ninth congress, Liu Shoqi, the most obstacle to Mao, was criticized and removed from the party permanently.

Ninth Congress (April,1969)
Considering the CR a victory, Mao had already been contemplating bringing the CR to an end. However, Jiang and Lin, who had grasped allot of power, did not want the movement to end. As a result, the CR program continued to destroy China.

The Period of Winter (1969)
After the congress, following Mao's suggestion to implement, "battle, criticism and reform" campaign, the program was carried out throughout China. With that, in each field including economy, education and culture, values as a nation were reevaluated.

Conflict Between Jiang Qing and Lin Biao (1972)
The more power Jiang and Lin gained, the more both began to fear each other. The conflicts between these escalated in 1972.

The Fall of Lin Biao (Sept,1972)
Lin paused Mao's programs in public, but secretly wanted him out of the picture. He tried to rob Mao of his power, but only failed. He tried to assassinate Mao, and upon being caught, he fled to Mongolia. Before his plane could land however, it mysteriously crashed.

The Aftermath of Lin Biao Incident (Oct,1972)
The death of Lin, who urged the CR positively, had a great impact on the people. Gradual suspicion began to grow among the people.

Reform by Zhou Enlai (1972-73)                                                           Normal authorities of the CCP including Zhou Enlai made an effort to normalize China, after having been distracted and confused severely.

Tenth Congress and The Rise of Gang of Four (Oct,1973)
The Tenth Congress solved some problems, but continuing the CR was still called for. Under such a false policy, the CR cannot help being continued more, and its destroys path continued. Moreover, Qing Jiang, Zhang Chunqiao, Yao Wenyuan and Wang Hongwen formed "Gang of Four", and their power grew tremendously.

Revival and Fall of Deng Xiaoping (1975)
Deng recovered his power in 1975, and led China into economic recovery. However, his policy contradicted that of the CR, so he was criticized by the Gang of Four, and he was once again out of the party.

Tiananmen Incident (1976)
In 1976, Zhou Enlai died, and the people gathered to mourn his death. The  Gang of Four prevented the people from gathering in Tiananmen Square by using the military.

The Aftermath of Tiananmen Incident (April,1976)
After the people were suppressed by the Gang of four in the Tiananmen Incident, the people began to doubt the CR. More and more people called for the CR to end. 

Death of Mao and Fall of Gang of Four (Sept,1976)
Mao died in September, 1976. The CCP facing a crisis with their open activities decided to arrest "Gang of Four". In October, "Gang of Four" was crushed, and then the Cultural Revolution having shacked China for ten years was ended virtually. Finally China began to step forward into a new history.