What Are the Major What Are the Major Impacts of China’s Impacts of China’s

Cultural Revolution?Cultural Revolution?By:By:

Oanh NguyenOanh NguyenAndrew PontikesAndrew PontikesJoshua PhillipsJoshua Phillips

IntroductionIntroduction

The Cultural Revolution took place from The Cultural Revolution took place from 1966 to 1976. Mao Zedong was the leader 1966 to 1976. Mao Zedong was the leader of the Cultural Revolution. He wanted to of the Cultural Revolution. He wanted to establish a more effective bureaucracy. establish a more effective bureaucracy. Mao organized a group of young people, Mao organized a group of young people, and their goals were to spread the idea of and their goals were to spread the idea of socialism around China. The Cultural socialism around China. The Cultural Revolution, instead of creating a better Revolution, instead of creating a better China, left great negative impacts on the China, left great negative impacts on the people and the economy of China, and also people and the economy of China, and also affected foreign countries as well. affected foreign countries as well.

Chairman Mao ZedongChairman Mao Zedong

Mao Zedong Mao Zedong was the former was the former communist communist leader of China. leader of China.

About the Cultural About the Cultural RevolutionRevolution

The Cultural Revolution could also be described The Cultural Revolution could also be described as the time when young Chinese citizens, called as the time when young Chinese citizens, called Red Guards, fought against the democratic Red Guards, fought against the democratic society. Much respect and many rewards were society. Much respect and many rewards were given to the Red Guards; therefore Mao was able given to the Red Guards; therefore Mao was able to gather many student volunteers. The Cultural to gather many student volunteers. The Cultural Revolution was based on the belief that school Revolution was based on the belief that school should be simpler, and the more books a person should be simpler, and the more books a person read, the more unintelligent they become. Mao read, the more unintelligent they become. Mao wanted to brainwash Chinese society - especially wanted to brainwash Chinese society - especially young people - and create Chinese citizens who young people - and create Chinese citizens who would grow up to become uneducated and would grow up to become uneducated and mindless. mindless.

A Young A Young group of Red group of Red Guards Mao Guards Mao gathered to gathered to fight against fight against democratic democratic society.society.

Mao & The Gang of FourMao & The Gang of FourMao Zedong Mao Zedong (1893-1976) (1893-1976)

– He was the communist leader of China during the Cultural He was the communist leader of China during the Cultural Revolution.Revolution.

The Gang of Four The Gang of Four – They were the four Chinese Communist Party Officials.They were the four Chinese Communist Party Officials.

Jiang Qing (1914-1991)Jiang Qing (1914-1991)– Mao's last wife and the leading figure of the group and her close Mao's last wife and the leading figure of the group and her close

associates whose were: associates whose were: Zhang Chunqiao (1917-2005)Zhang Chunqiao (1917-2005)

– Sentenced to death, but sentence was changed to life Sentenced to death, but sentence was changed to life imprisonmentimprisonment. .

Yao Wenyuan (1931-2005)Yao Wenyuan (1931-2005)– Arrested and sentenced to 20 life imprisonment.Arrested and sentenced to 20 life imprisonment.

Wang Hongwen (1936-1992)Wang Hongwen (1936-1992)– He was an important figure after Mao’s death. He was also He was an important figure after Mao’s death. He was also

arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment.arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment.

The Gang of FourThe Gang of Four

Pictured Here are Pictured Here are the original Gang the original Gang of Four members.of Four members.

Impacts on Japan and MediaImpacts on Japan and Media Outside of China, the cultural revolution left the greatest impact Outside of China, the cultural revolution left the greatest impact

on Japan.on Japan. China had great control over the media at the time, therefore the China had great control over the media at the time, therefore the

cause and effects of the Cultural Revolution were forbidden to be cause and effects of the Cultural Revolution were forbidden to be published, and anyone who wrote about it were to be exiled. published, and anyone who wrote about it were to be exiled.

Chinese Government kept a tight seal over what went on in China. Chinese Government kept a tight seal over what went on in China. People could only read about what happened through false and People could only read about what happened through false and

misleading facts approved by the communist regime. misleading facts approved by the communist regime. Only supporters of the Cultural Revolution could enter China. Only supporters of the Cultural Revolution could enter China. Even Chinese students and citizens had a hard time Even Chinese students and citizens had a hard time

understanding what was going on due to the control of the media. understanding what was going on due to the control of the media.

Resulted in much confusion in Japan. Despite that, Japan formed Resulted in much confusion in Japan. Despite that, Japan formed groups that reacted against the Chinese government. groups that reacted against the Chinese government.

Since China and Japan were not able to communicate during the Since China and Japan were not able to communicate during the Cultural Revolution, groups of sympathy for the Chinese Cultural Revolution, groups of sympathy for the Chinese government soon ended.government soon ended.

Impacts on Economy and Impacts on Economy and FamiliesFamilies

The Cultural Revolution caused China’s economy to collapse. The Cultural Revolution caused China’s economy to collapse. The amount of rice grains produced a year decreased greatly The amount of rice grains produced a year decreased greatly

and cotton production also dropped dramatically. and cotton production also dropped dramatically. Due to the decreased production, the price for rice increased, Due to the decreased production, the price for rice increased,

and the price for cotton fabrics and clothes also increased. and the price for cotton fabrics and clothes also increased. Transportation also became a problem for the people of China, Transportation also became a problem for the people of China,

as industrial production dropped during the ten harsh years.as industrial production dropped during the ten harsh years. The Cultural Revolution led many citizens to lose their The Cultural Revolution led many citizens to lose their

possessions. Politicians, landowners, and the high class possessions. Politicians, landowners, and the high class society lost their jobs and properties. The lives of many society lost their jobs and properties. The lives of many Chinese were changed for the worse. Chinese were changed for the worse.

More citizens became peasants and worked in the farms in More citizens became peasants and worked in the farms in order to afford foods and earn money for their families. order to afford foods and earn money for their families.

Due to the abandonment of the birth control programs, many Due to the abandonment of the birth control programs, many families increased and birth rates went up. That made living families increased and birth rates went up. That made living arrangements harder for most families, as the expenses of arrangements harder for most families, as the expenses of living were already difficult. living were already difficult.

Impacts on Schools and Impacts on Schools and StudentsStudents

Many Chinese students were not able to study during the Cultural Many Chinese students were not able to study during the Cultural Revolution. Revolution.

They were forced to farm and do manual labor. They were forced to farm and do manual labor. The government required that the values of the Cultural Revolution be The government required that the values of the Cultural Revolution be

taught in schools. taught in schools. During 1966 and 1967, all graduates and current students were required During 1966 and 1967, all graduates and current students were required

to completed a course covering the ideals of the Cultural Revolution to completed a course covering the ideals of the Cultural Revolution before graduating. before graduating.

The process blocked many students from completing school, and many The process blocked many students from completing school, and many students dropped out. students dropped out.

For those children who could not afford to go to school, they worked in For those children who could not afford to go to school, they worked in factories and farms to earn petty amounts of money for their family. factories and farms to earn petty amounts of money for their family.

For those who stayed in school until graduation, they were sent to the For those who stayed in school until graduation, they were sent to the countryside, because Mao thought it was necessary for graduates to be countryside, because Mao thought it was necessary for graduates to be re-educated by famers and peasants. re-educated by famers and peasants.

Four million high school and college graduates and sixteen million Four million high school and college graduates and sixteen million students were sent to the farmland where they ended up working the students were sent to the farmland where they ended up working the farms and performing manual labor. farms and performing manual labor.

Problems arose for most of the young people due to the scarcity of food, Problems arose for most of the young people due to the scarcity of food, housing, and money. housing, and money.

Many talented students talents were wasted, because they were stuck Many talented students talents were wasted, because they were stuck working in the fields until the revolution ended. working in the fields until the revolution ended.

ResultsResults The death of Mao and the purge of the Gang of Four in 1976 The death of Mao and the purge of the Gang of Four in 1976

marked the end of the Cultural Revolution. marked the end of the Cultural Revolution. The Eleventh Party Congress officially ended the Cultural The Eleventh Party Congress officially ended the Cultural

Revolution in December of 1977. Revolution in December of 1977. Throughout the ten years, many people were left in poverty Throughout the ten years, many people were left in poverty

and for many, educational opportunity was forever over. and for many, educational opportunity was forever over. The burden of the ten years known as Mao’s Bloody Years left The burden of the ten years known as Mao’s Bloody Years left

a burden on China that continued after the end of the Cultural a burden on China that continued after the end of the Cultural Revolution. Revolution.

The educational systems took many long years to repair. The educational systems took many long years to repair. The greatest impact of all was that all educational The greatest impact of all was that all educational

opportunities and potential productive careers were denied to opportunities and potential productive careers were denied to people who experienced the Cultural Revolution during their people who experienced the Cultural Revolution during their teens and early adulthood. teens and early adulthood.

For some people, their lives changed for the better as they For some people, their lives changed for the better as they were able to escape the hardships of the Cultural Revolution. were able to escape the hardships of the Cultural Revolution.

As for most, the nightmares of the Cultural Revolution still As for most, the nightmares of the Cultural Revolution still linger and escaping that piece of reality is only hope, because linger and escaping that piece of reality is only hope, because the collapse of the economy and government had huge the collapse of the economy and government had huge impacts on their lives which took years and years to restore. impacts on their lives which took years and years to restore.

Nearing the end of the Nearing the end of the revolutionrevolution

A gathering A gathering during the during the end of the end of the Cultural Cultural Revolution in Revolution in China.China.

ConclusionConclusion The corruption of the Cultural Revolution in the government The corruption of the Cultural Revolution in the government

and society left the Chinese people in fear.and society left the Chinese people in fear. Traditional lifestyles were abandoned, as many people Traditional lifestyles were abandoned, as many people

relied on bribery for ways of advancements. relied on bribery for ways of advancements. Although many people lost properties, wealth, jobs, lives, Although many people lost properties, wealth, jobs, lives,

and much more, the end of the Cultural Revolution was a and much more, the end of the Cultural Revolution was a joyous time for the people. As that meant their lives will get joyous time for the people. As that meant their lives will get better, and many people picked up the pieces and began better, and many people picked up the pieces and began down the long road of recovery.down the long road of recovery.

As China’s government is reformed, and the economy is As China’s government is reformed, and the economy is rebuilt, new educational opportunity opens doors for the rebuilt, new educational opportunity opens doors for the young generations to form a better society. young generations to form a better society.

The impacts of the Cultural Revolution scarred lives, but the The impacts of the Cultural Revolution scarred lives, but the people regained a hope for a better tomorrow. people regained a hope for a better tomorrow.

Finally, the hope for a better life in China is being Finally, the hope for a better life in China is being established, as many homes and families put the past established, as many homes and families put the past behind them, as they head out towards a better future. behind them, as they head out towards a better future.

Works CitedWorks Cited WebsitesWebsites

Discovering China. Michael Galduroz, Yuki Satou and Alex Busetto. ThinkQuest. 2008. Discovering China. Michael Galduroz, Yuki Satou and Alex Busetto. ThinkQuest. 2008. <http://library.thinkquest.org/26469/cultural-revolution/impact.html><http://library.thinkquest.org/26469/cultural-revolution/impact.html>

BooksBooks

Rosenbaum, Arthur Lewis. State and Society in China. The Consequnces of Reform. Colorado. Rosenbaum, Arthur Lewis. State and Society in China. The Consequnces of Reform. Colorado. Westview Press. 1992.Westview Press. 1992.

Tang, Peter S.H.. Communist China Today V. 1. Washington. Research Institute. 1977.Tang, Peter S.H.. Communist China Today V. 1. Washington. Research Institute. 1977.

Tsou, Tang. The Cultural Revolution and Post-Mao Reforms. Chicago. The University of Chicago Press. Tsou, Tang. The Cultural Revolution and Post-Mao Reforms. Chicago. The University of Chicago Press. 1986.1986.

Journals/ArticlesJournals/Articles

Brandt Ayers, H. “OPINION: Old, new ... my China”. EBSCOhost. Article. Pg. 1. 08/17/2008.Brandt Ayers, H. “OPINION: Old, new ... my China”. EBSCOhost. Article. Pg. 1. 08/17/2008.<http://ezproxy.okcu.edu:2229/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nfh&AN=2W62W62617849492&site=ehost-<http://ezproxy.okcu.edu:2229/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nfh&AN=2W62W62617849492&site=ehost-live>live>

Fowler, Erin Malia, “An exploration of the life experiences of the survivors of China's cultural Fowler, Erin Malia, “An exploration of the life experiences of the survivors of China's cultural revolution.”. US: ProQuest Information & Learning. Vol 69(2-B), 2008. pp. 1323. 2008. revolution.”. US: ProQuest Information & Learning. Vol 69(2-B), 2008. pp. 1323. 2008. <http://ezproxy.okcu.edu:2229/login.aspx?direct=true&db=psyh&AN=2008-99160-020&site=ehost-<http://ezproxy.okcu.edu:2229/login.aspx?direct=true&db=psyh&AN=2008-99160-020&site=ehost-live>live>

Norris, Michelle. “Chengdu Students Discuss Life in China”. EBSCOhost. Newspaper Source. Pg. 1 . All Norris, Michelle. “Chengdu Students Discuss Life in China”. EBSCOhost. Newspaper Source. Pg. 1 . All Things Considered (NPR). 05/23/2008. < http://ezproxy.okcu.edu:2229/login.aspx?Things Considered (NPR). 05/23/2008. < http://ezproxy.okcu.edu:2229/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nfh&AN=6XN200805232104&site=ehost-live>direct=true&db=nfh&AN=6XN200805232104&site=ehost-live>

Schiller, Bill. “Mao's successor ended chaos of Cultural Revolution”. EBSCOhost. Pg. 1. 08/21/2008.Schiller, Bill. “Mao's successor ended chaos of Cultural Revolution”. EBSCOhost. Pg. 1. 08/21/2008.<http://ezproxy.okcu.edu:2229/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nfh&N=6FP4276029602&site=ehost-live><http://ezproxy.okcu.edu:2229/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nfh&N=6FP4276029602&site=ehost-live>