Unit 3: How effective were the red guards in carrying out the cultural revolution? Flashcards
Mao plunged the younger generation into revolutionary activity to ensure the permanent survival of communism in China.
What resulted in Mao’s hold on the younger generation?
His personality cult which presented Mao as the hero that freed China from foreign domination.
The little red book consisted of quotes by Mao based on his speeches covering topics like war, peace, and unity; It urged readers to study Mao’s writings and was used as a tool of indoctrination; saying quotes from this book was used to settle arguments.
The diary of Lei Feng supported the growth of Mao’s personality cult, it was the Journal of a PLA lorry driver, whose every thought and action was inspired by his devotion to Mao: This was found in the school curriculum.
Mass rallies were a successful technique of exposing opposition. For young people it made them feel important because they were given the responsibility of directing the revolution. The first mass rally was on the 18th of August 1966, in which chaos and violence was spread across China as the Red Guards went out to destroy the four olds and students found themselves free to attack anyone in authority or the wrong class. Free rail passes enabled the Red Guards to travel further in pursuit of targets to attack and indulge in revolutionary tourism.
A lack of career opportunities for students whose families carried the wrong class label such as the bourgeoisie or by a lack of party connections. Joining the red guards gave them an opportunity to prove they were true communists.
The four olds were culture, ideas, habits and customs; they were kept deliberately vague in order to allow the younger generation to denounce anything representing past values: ‘Confucius and co’.
How were the four olds attacked?
Correction stations were set up and offenders had to shave their heads in the street.
Street names were changed to reflect new values. For example, the address of the British Embassy in Beijing became anti-imperialist St.
Houses were ransacked for bourgeoisie possessions, such as musical instruments and jewellery, to be destroyed.
Books written by bourgeois authors were burnt in street Bonfires.
The bourgeoisie were victims of impromptu beatings.
Young people urged to treat Mao as their true parent and inform the red guards of relatives who clung to old attitudes.
Failed as many traditional views reappeared. For example, the ‘old’ attitude of showing respect to the dead was shown when thousands of mourners attended the festival of the dead ceremony in April 1976 in tribute to the recently deceased Zhou Enlai.
How did students play a part in attacking the four olds?
Students were given free rein to attack figures of authority such as teachers or those with a wealthy lifestyle.
Those accused were subjected to struggle sessions where they were tortured and forced to confess to ‘crimes against the Chinese people’.
The idea of the scale of killing can be shown in the trial of the gang of four, who were accused of sanctioning the deaths of over half a million people.
What was the January storm?
1967
The ‘January Storm’ was when Red Guards and political radicals attempted to seize control of party committees, local government councils and bureaucracies.
100,000 Red Guards attacking and defeating 20,000 Scarlet guards.
This is significant because the fact that factions were appearing and Mao was no longer in control of the population.
They had some success, gaining control of the Shanghai municipal government and declaring it a ‘People’s Commune’.
What was the February adverse current?
1967
February adverse current 1967 was where two leaders of the CCP Zhu De and Chen Yi openly criticised Mao.
Mao dismisses them because they went against the tide of the revolution.
What was the February crackdown?
The ‘February crackdown’ was when the PLA took it upon themselves to suppress radicals as the CCRG wanted the cultural revolution to penetrate every institution in society with no exception,
but the PLA did not want to be subjected to the same struggle sessions as civilian society. Mao authorised the PLA to crack down on radicals when necessary.
How did the red guards use terror?
They used intimidation and denunciation
Class enemies sent to re-education camps
They subjected people to struggle meetings
Red Guard factions started to turn against each other to prove who had a greater impact in the Cultural Revolution.
