for test Flashcards
When did the Cultural Revolution begin?
may 1966, politburo launches on a “bunch of counter-revolutionary revisionists”
mao denounced the four olds
The Cultural Revolution was marked by attacks on the ‘Four Olds’ and the rise of the Red Guards.
What significant speeches did Mao publish in 1966?
May 16 Notification and Bombard the Headquarters
These speeches played a crucial role in the initiation of the Cultural Revolution.
What was the impact of the Cultural Revolution on the economy of the PRC?
Serious economic setbacks
The disruption led to the abandonment of the 3rd Five-year plan (1966-70), although it was not officially admitted.
What campaign was known as ‘cleansing the class ranks’?
A campaign against ‘counter revolutionaries’ continued by PLA squads from 1968 to 1971
This followed the dispersal of Red Guard units to the countryside.
Who emerged as Mao’s chosen successor in 1969?
Lin Biao
Lin Biao’s rise was coupled with the restoration of the Communist Party apparatus.
What ideology was placed as the official guiding thought of the Communist Party in 1969?
Mao Zedong Thought
This was established at the 1969 party congress.
What happened to Liu Shaoqi during the Cultural Revolution?
He was purged and died in custody
Liu Shaoqi was the President of China at the time.
What significant event took place in 1971 involving Lin Biao?
Lin Biao died in a plane crash in Mongolia
This was after Mao curtailed his authority and a power struggle ensued.
What was the outcome of the power struggle involving Lin Biao?
He lost and attempted to flee to the USSR
His plane crashed over Mongolia, resulting in his death.
What happened to Deng Xiaoping in 1973?
He was rehabilitated and gained control of CCP’s Central Committee operations
This occurred as Mao and Zhou Enlai’s health deteriorated.
What was the focus of the ‘Campaign to Criticize Lin Biao and Confucius’ launched in 1974?
Targeting Lin Biao and reactionary thought
This campaign aimed to discredit Lin Biao’s influence.
What factional tensions arose in the CCP during the mid-1970s?
Leftists advocated egalitarianism; rightists prioritized growth
These tensions were centered around economic policy.
When did Zhou Enlai die?
January 1976
His death led to public demonstrations honoring him.
What event occurred in March-April 1976 related to Zhou Enlai’s death?
Public demonstrations and riots at Tiananmen Square
These events implicitly criticized leftist leadership.
What happened to Deng Xiaoping in April 1976?
He was purged again
He was blamed for the Tiananmen incident.
What significant event marked September 1976?
Mao Zedong died
This event led to significant changes in leadership.
Who rose to power as Mao’s successor in 1977?
Hua Guofeng
Deng Xiaoping was publicly rehabilitated shortly thereafter.
What economic reforms did Deng Xiaoping launch in 1978?
‘Reform and Opening Up’
These reforms aimed at modernizing China’s economy.
What did Deng’s government do between 1979-1981?
Reversed Maoist policies and rehabilitated victims of the Cultural Revolution
This period marked significant changes in governance.
What happened to Mao’s portraits and statues in 1980?
They were removed
This action symbolized a shift away from Maoist ideology.
What trials occurred during the winter of 1980-1981?
‘Gang of Four’ and Lin Biao’s followers were put on trial
This discredited leftist policies and promoted the rule of law.
when did jiang qing criticise Hai Ru’s play
- feb 65
- for having parallels, glorifying peng dehuai
- labelled as anti-socialist
when does mao distance himself from the party leadershuo
nov 1965, he moved to shanghai
what were the four olds
old culture, ideas, customs and habits
examples of anti-western sentiment
any hong kong haircuts were banned
western music and clothing were banned
when was the yangtze river swim
july 1966
when did the real red guard disturbances start and what
june ‘66
universities and coleges suspended
students wearing red guard arm bands and with little red book. liu and deng try to control it and direct the criticism away from the party
when did the central committee publish a 16-point doc
august ‘66 to reflect mao’s aims for the cultural revoltion
- remound chinese culture
- purge of party leadership
- wider rectification
how many red guards attended the rallies at tiananmen square
13 million (around 66 ish)
stats on unemployment and purging
70% of provincial and regional officials were purged
over 60% of high ranking officials lost their jobs
- 9/23 politburo members survived the purge
when was the rally in tiananmen square main one
18th august - 1 million red guards.
slogan of red guards
“destruction before contruction”
when did factional rivalries emerged in RG
nov, 66 where shanghai, a workers revolutionary general headquarters (WRGH) was set up to coordinate radical activities.
failed as mao said they had rights to independence
by december, there were street battles in shanghai
january storm
january 67
revolutionaries seized control of the main newspapers and overthrew party leadership
feb crackdown
feb 67
regional military commanders used armed forces to supress radical RGs.
when did the politburo cease to function
feb 67
stats on factional rivalry RG
in wuhan, 600 people were killed in clashes between conservatice and radicals
when is the british diplomatic compound burnt
summer 67
purge of RG
10 million people were under suspician, 3 million were detained
when do the ccp declare the cult rev as a success
october 68 - “a great and decisive victory”
when was the down to the countryside movement
july 68
between 68-70, 5 million young were sent to the peasants. dispersed to areas where they couldnt cause trouble
