Cultural Revolution

Cheyenne McGlaston

Global- Hr. 1

2-2-13

Cultural Revolution

The Cultural Revolution, better known as the Great Proletariat Cultural Revolution, has both given attribution and detriment to the nationalism of China. Set in motion by Mao Zedong in 1966, almost immediately after the Great Leap Forward, this Revolution is a broad umbrella term for many unique and disputable revolutions to fall under it. The high tide of the Cultural Revolution falls between the years of 1966 and 1968, but because of the spirit of revolution that Mao put forth to the young citizens in China, this umbrella term revolution came to push forward until Zedong’s death in 1976. Mao’s head general, Lin Biao, would soon publish a “bible” that every revolutionary supporter had to be accompanied by at all times, “The Little Red Book”, published with Zedong’s word. His word would soon become what is widely known as Zedong Thought and this same thought would fuel a nation through ten years of revolution and uprisings.

Ten years of uprising, and many years post revolution, recounts can still be found telling whole stories of the revolution and recounts that tell a partial story of events to go on during the revolution. Political Dazibao’s, or political cartoons, were planted all around the country, enticing the youth to join the Red Guard, encouraging the working class to join the revolution and fall into place where they belonged. Many dazibao’s illustrated the factional struggles within the Chinese Communist Party leadership. Any head personnel who were not Mao were considered a possible target for the fire of the Red Guard. Political posters, during this time serviced as the daily herald, main source of information, for the citizens of China’s Communist Republic. Most importantly perhaps are the posters which show students in possession of their “Little Red Book[s]” and the working class joining the revolution in solidarity standing over the four olds crushing them. Robert Elegant, an...