China - Cultural Revolution

Aim: What were the goals of the Cultural Revolution in China?

Lesson Overview:

Item	Approx Time
Do Now	3-5 Min
Mini Lesson	15-20 Min
Activity	15 Min
Discussion	5-7 Min

China Cultural Revolution Overview

Social Instability in Red China

Mao Zedong, upon establishing the communist People's Republic of China, set out to transform his country into a modern state. Politics and economics were state controlled in what is referred to as the Great Leap Forward. Mao also attempted to control the very minds of the people. Beginning with the education of school children, communist thinking was indoctrinated. Mao's Little Red Book was required reading and any former members of the intelligentsia, the educated class, were forced into schools that re-trained their minds to fit Mao's vision. Confucianism and Taoism, the traditional religions of China, were banned. However, women did receive more equality as traditional Chinese culture was suppressed. Any opposition to Mao's authority was quickly and harshly put down.

Great Leap Forward

The economic program designed to increase farm and industrial output though the creation of communes. Communes are similar to Soviet collectives in that groups of people live and work together on government owned farms and in government owned industry.

China from 1960s and beyond

In the late 1950's into the 60's, Mao's opponents, despite the consequences, began demanding changes in Mao's policies. Mao responded by unleashing the Red Guard, a mob of students who attacked and brutalized any who spoke out against Mao. This period was known as the Cultural Revolution. The ensuing chaos brought China to a grinding halt in terms of industrial production. Finally, a harsh military-enforced crack-down ended the Cultural Revolution by the late 1960's.

During the 1970's, China and the Western world gradually increased economic, social, and political contact. The thawing of the Cold War, resulted in democratic principles seeping into China. In 1989, students filled Beijing's Tiananmen Square, protesting for more democratic reforms. China strained relations with the West by brutally putting the demonstration. Many were killed and thousands were arrested as Chinese tanks and soldiers stormed into Tiananmen Square. This famous image shows one lone student stopping an entire line of Chinese tanks.

Classwork & Homework

Lesson Activity: China - Cultural Revolution

Homework:

Study for Final Tomorrow 6/3
Homework Packet #11 - Due