If one is to analyze the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution through the lens of primary sources, it is critical to understand that almost nothing printed during that era can be taken at face value. In the political culture established under Chairman Mao, one constantly had to display his single-minded zeal for Mao Zedong Thought, and failure to do so could result in being purged. Consequently, when reading a 1960s Chinese politician's speech, one must think of his words in the context of the speaker's political interests. Mao never exactly pinned down comprehensively what the goals of the Cultural Revolution were and specifically how they were to be achieved.
[...] These quotes exemplify Chairman Mao's belief that in order to improve people's attitude of mind, they must be attacked until they see the errors in their ideological understanding, and if they appear beyond reform they must be purged. Bearing in mind the aforementioned reasons given to justify the Cultural Revolution, one may now observe the facts of how the Cultural Revolution was actually carried out by the masses. The Red Guard movement was far from the cohesive, unified socialist youth movement that Maoist propaganda posters depict. [...]
[...] The Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution in the young People's Republic of China was characterized by an unprecedented and uniquely Maoist style of execution. Over the course of the Manic Phase of the Cultural Revolution, innumerable Chinese either participated directly in Chairman Mao's Cultural Revolution or suffered persecution, often violent, for failing to do so, whether perceived or real. The main purposes of the Cultural Revolution were Chairman Mao Zedong's call to set socialism back on its proper track by defeating capitalist-roaders in the Party and government, destroying the Four Olds, and creating constant revolutionary experiences for the young Chinese. [...]
[...] This concept was mentioned in point eight of the famous “Sixteen Points” of the Cultural Revolution published in the Peking Review: anti-Party, anti-socialist Rightists must be fully exposed, hit hard, pulled down, and completely discredited and their influence eliminated. At the same time, they should be given a way out so that they can turn over a new leaf.” (CCP Central Committee, “Decision Concerning the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution,” p. 39) The Red Guard movement served as an unpredictable rogue force in society given legitimacy by a leadership which proved unable to control it. [...]
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