The Cultural Revolution - 10 key events Flashcards
The Cultural Revolution - 10 key events
1921
1921: The Chinese Communist Party is established in Shanghai, its founding members having been encouraged by foreign agents of the Communist International (Comintern).
The Cultural Revolution - 10 key events
1949
1949 Chiang Kai-shek’s nationalist government retreats to Taiwan. On October 1st Mao Zedong proclaims the establishment of the People’s Republic of China
In 1949 … PRC comes online
The Cultural Revolution - 10 key events
1958
1958: Mao launches the Great Leap Forward with the aim of overtaking the economic output of the UK and matching that of the US.
… in1958, Mao leapt over the gate
The Cultural Revolution - 10 key events
1959 - 62
1959-62: Famine results in at least 30 million deaths. Ten million a year. As a result, Mao is sidelined by Liu Shaoqi, and some policies of the Great Leap Forward era are abandoned.
In 59 to 62, mass starvation in China grew
The Cultural Revolution - 10 key events
1966
1966: The Cultural Revolution is proclaimed in May. Red Guards form and, after mass rallies in Beijing, begin attacks on the four olds’ and ‘class enemies’, ‘counter- revolutionaries’ and ‘bad elements’.
In 1966, the Red Guard pick up their sticks.
The Cultural Revolution - 10 key events
Clue: CFM
1967
1967: Red Guards seize control of the Chinese foreign ministry, and storm and burn down the British Mission in Beijing. Mao starts to move against them, ordering in the army to restore order.
In 1967, the British Mission went to heaven.
The Cultural Revolution - 10 key events
1969
1969: Chinese and Soviet military clash on their common border. Mass campaigns are launched in China to dig air-raid shelters and prepare for war. The Chinese army suppresses factional fighting.
In 1969, border peace was on the line.
The Cultural Revolution - 10 key events
1971
1971: Concerned about its international isolation, China signals its desire to re-open relations with the US. President Richard Nixon is receptive.
In 1971, Nixon and China had fun.
The Cultural Revolution - 10 key events
1972
1972: Nixon visits China and meets Mao. Other western powers follow suit.
In 1972, Mao and Nixon’s love grew.
The Cultural Revolution - 10 key events
1976
1976: The Tangshan earthquake kills 500,000. Mao dies in September, and the Cultural Revolution Group (aka the Gang of Four) is arrested. The end of the Cultural Revolution is proclaimed.
In 1976, Mao has his chips.
‘Chinese cities filled with sobbing adolescents and frightened parents…’
What year and moment in Chinese history is being described here?
In 1968, teenagers met their fate.
Chinese cities filled with sobbing adolescents and frightened parents. The authorities had decreed that teenagers – deployed by Mao Zedong as the shock troops of the Cultural Revolution – were to begin new lives in the countryside. A tide of youth swept towards impoverished villages
