Cultural Revolution (China)

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Cultural Revolution (China)

The Cultural Revolution in China from 1965-1968 was Chairman Mao’s attempt at reasserting his power and ideologies after the weakening of his leadership in the late 50s. Mao feared that an elitist class was developing in China, including educated people like scientists, doctors and lawyers, who he believed were acquiring too much power in society. He encouraged youths to criticize anyone who didn’t support the Communist Party, resulting in a fundamentalist group called the Red Guards who enforced this policy. The aim of Mao and the Red Guards was to create a classless Chinese society; however, the violent extremism of the Red Guards pushed China into social and economic turmoil and resulted in the deaths of many thousands of people.

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