Part 7/9:
In the 1960s, with criticisms of the Great Leap Forward brewing within the Communist Party, Mao initiated the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976). This movement aimed to purify Chinese society by eradicating remnants of capitalism and traditional culture. The ensuing chaos resulted in violent purges, with millions persecuted, and an atmosphere of fear pervading the nation.
Mao’s orchestration of the Cultural Revolution allowed him to eliminate political rivals, but it also spiraled out of his control. The Red Guards, composed mainly of zealous youth, unleashed violence against intellectuals and perceived "enemies of the state," damaging Chinese society in irrevocable ways.