The Cultural Revolution & its aftermath: An introduction If reading Wild Swans, the 3rd daughter (narrator of the book) joins the Red Guard – could do some reading of the relevant chapters to bring this to life for yourselves and understand what it was really like for people LO: to learn the what the Cultural Revolution was, the key features and the impact.

What was the Cultural Revolution? The Cultural Revolution was a truly extraordinary event in China. From 1965 to Mao’s death in 1976, China was plunged into social turmoil. Young people, encouraged by Mao, turned on their teachers, doctors, politicians attacking them for being ‘capitalist roaders’. Normal life ground to a halt and was replaced by endless denunciation meetings and mass readings of the ‘little red book’. Anarchy ensued and the impact of this lasted for several decades. Go through info to introduce it to them – basically 11years of craziness, anarchy, chaos. Little Red Book – Mao quotes, published as thoughts of MZD Red Guard – all young people join (similar principle to Hitler Youth). Red Guard encouraged to rebel against all forms of authority, especially teachers. About 1m teachers killed by students during this time, and others were denounced, tortured and send to the countryside for re-education. Vandalism e.g. of landmarks, culture – result is that today in China they have little REAL traditional culture remaining Like anti-rightist movement but more widespread – anyone could be accused of being a ’capitalist roader’ (Mao accuses LS and DX of being them). Chinese take to it with their usual fervent enthusiasm, denouncing each other. What was the Cultural Revolution?

What were the key features? Study the key features sheet. Keep this in your folder. As we go through today’s and subsequent lessons you should add more detail to these features. Add new words to your glossary – leave the meanings blank for now. What were the key features?

What was the Cultural Revolution? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPuvFXv8Gos As you watch the documentary take notes. Use the key features sheet to help you select important information. This gives an excellent overview and an introduction to what the Cultural Revolution is, but not the depth of detail you will need. 17mins – starts with impact of famine, then overview of CR What was the Cultural Revolution?

What was the significance? Short-term: political instability and constant shifts in economic policy led to slower economic growth and decline in goods and services (e.g. schools, hospitals, factories) Long-term: bureaucratic timidity – no-one wanted to raise their head above the parapet Long-term: severe generation gap – denial of education – this took several decades to repair. The resulting damage to that system was profound, and the goals that Mao sought to achieve ultimately remained elusive. Mao’s aims for the CR not very clear apart from reasserting control and power ST – anarchy = slow growth LT – people today still concerned to speak up with concerns/complaints LT – biggest impact – whole generation of people with NO EDUCATION – adults in China today who can’t read and write. All the Red Guard did was read the little red book and copy slogans from it on to posters. WHAT’S SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS LT FOR COUNTRY? E.g. no teachers, politicians, economists etc – took ages to get teachers back to classrooms and had to incentivise them to return – introduced ‘Teachers Day’ – like mothers day. Miss Jones worked there and said the cards are really creepy – basically a veiled promise not to drag you out into the street and beat you again! What was the significance?

The Cult of the Mango Have a read of the article Where can you find examples of some of the things we’ve learnt about today? How does Mao react to all this? Really brings to life the craziness of this period! The Cult of the Mango

Complete the Intro to the Cultural Revolution worksheet using p Complete the Intro to the Cultural Revolution worksheet using p.216-220 in your textbook Due: next lesson Ed’s sheet – complete as an overview ready to feedback next lesson Homework