What I Learned About the Cultural Revolution

1. It was a struggle of power within the Chinese Communist Party
2. It brought China to the brink of civil war
3. Mao Zedong:
• chairman of the Chinese Communist Party
• started the revolution
• declared it over in 1969
4. Red Guards were youth militia organized under Mao Zedong's instruction in order to overthrow his enemies and gain control
5. Gang of Four:
• consisted of Jiang Qing (Mao Zedong's wife), Zhang Chunqiao, Yao Wenyuan, and Wang Hongwen
• their arrest in 1976 is said to be the true end of the Cultural Revoution
• gained power after Mao Zedong died
6. Intellectuality was considered bad while manual labor was considered ideal
7. Many intellectuals were sent to manual labor camps
8. Traditional arts and ideas were ignored
9. Cultural institutions were criticized
10. Youth were encouraged to question their parents and teachers
11. Millions were persecuted and over 1/2 million were killed