When was cultural revolution

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Last updated: April 17, 2026

Quick Answer: The Cultural Revolution in China began in May 1966 and officially ended in 1976, lasting approximately ten years. It was launched by Mao Zedong to preserve Chinese socialism by removing perceived capitalist and traditional elements.

Key Facts

The Cultural Revolution started in May 1966 under Mao Zedong's leadership.
Mao mobilized the Red Guards, primarily composed of students, in 1966 to attack party officials and intellectuals.
An estimated 1.5 to 2 million people died during the Cultural Revolution due to political persecution and violence.
The Gang of Four, led by Jiang Qing, was a key political faction promoting radical policies until 1976.
The movement officially ended with Mao Zedong's death in September 1976, followed by the arrest of the Gang of Four.

Overview

The Cultural Revolution was a sociopolitical movement in the People's Republic of China initiated by Chairman Mao Zedong in 1966. Its goal was to preserve Chinese communism by purging remnants of capitalist and traditional elements from Chinese society.

The decade-long campaign caused widespread social upheaval, political purges, and massive human suffering. It officially ended in 1976 with Mao's death and the subsequent arrest of the radical Gang of Four.

Launched in May 1966, the Cultural Revolution was Mao Zedong's response to growing concerns about ideological deviation within the Communist Party and society.
Mao mobilized youth groups, particularly the Red Guards, to attack party officials, intellectuals, and cultural institutions he deemed counter-revolutionary.
Traditional symbols and practices, including Confucian values, historical artifacts, and religious sites, were systematically destroyed across China.
Senior leaders like Liu Shaoqi and Deng Xiaoping were purged and publicly humiliated; Liu died in prison in 1969 after years of persecution.
The movement caused massive social chaos, with schools and universities closing, economic production disrupted, and an estimated 1.5 to 2 million deaths from violence and persecution.

How It Works

The Cultural Revolution operated through mass mobilization, propaganda, and political repression to enforce ideological conformity. Mao used media and youth movements to bypass traditional party structures and directly challenge perceived enemies.

Term: Red Guards: Student-led paramilitary groups formed in 1966 to attack 'class enemies'; they vandalized temples, persecuted intellectuals, and fueled nationwide chaos.
Term: Struggle sessions: Public humiliations where officials and scholars were forced to confess 'crimes'; these often led to physical abuse or death.
Term: Four Olds campaign: Targeted destruction of old ideas, culture, customs, and habits; libraries, art, and historic sites were destroyed in the name of revolution.
Term: Sent-down youth: Over 16 million urban students were relocated to rural areas between 1968 and 1973 to 'learn from peasants' and avoid bourgeois influence.
Term: Gang of Four: A radical political faction including Mao’s wife Jiang Qing; they promoted extreme policies until arrested in October 1976.
Term: Mao Zedong Thought: The ideological foundation of the movement; Mao’s quotations were treated as infallible and widely disseminated in the Little Red Book.

Comparison at a Glance

Key differences between pre-Cultural Revolution China and the period during Mao's campaign:

Aspect	Before 1966	During 1966–1976
Political Leadership	Mao Zedong led with collective party support	Mao ruled through mass mobilization, bypassing party structures
Education	Universities and schools operated normally	Schools closed; students joined Red Guards or were sent to the countryside
Economic Policy	State planning with limited reforms	Industrial output dropped; focus shifted to ideological purity
Cultural Expression	Traditional and revolutionary art coexisted	Only revolutionary operas and Maoist propaganda were allowed
Foreign Relations	China faced isolation but had some diplomatic ties	Relations with the USSR deteriorated; limited contact with the West

The table highlights how the Cultural Revolution disrupted nearly every aspect of Chinese life. While intended to reinforce socialism, it instead caused institutional collapse and long-term trauma.

Why It Matters

Understanding the Cultural Revolution is essential for grasping modern Chinese politics, societal values, and historical memory. It shaped a generation’s worldview and influenced China’s later shift toward reform and stability.

The trauma led to post-Mao reforms: After 1976, Deng Xiaoping reversed Maoist policies and launched economic modernization to prevent future upheavals.
Historical memory remains sensitive: The Chinese government restricts open discussion, labeling the period a 'decade of chaos' but avoiding full accountability.
Generational impact was profound: Millions of 'sent-down youth' lost educational opportunities, affecting career trajectories and family dynamics for decades.
Censorship persists today: Media and education downplay the era, and public memorials or critiques are suppressed to maintain social stability.
It influenced global leftist movements: Maoist ideology inspired far-left groups worldwide, from the Black Panthers to European student radicals in the 1960s and 1970s.
Legal and institutional reforms followed: Post-1976 China rebuilt its judiciary and party discipline to prevent unchecked political campaigns.

The Cultural Revolution remains a cautionary tale about the dangers of ideological extremism and the fragility of institutions under authoritarian rule.