Asian Studies Timeline - Shing Chi

By shingchi

  • Mao 1965

    Jiang Qing published a critique on a play by Beijing's Mayor. She believed it was an attack on Mao. Mao also replaced the government positions with his allies.

  • May 16 Circular

    The "May 16 circular" signaled the beginning of the Cultural Revolution. It stated the CCP's intention to expel the bourgeoisie who sneaked into CCP.

  • First Dazibao

    A teacher wrote a dazibao against some people and called them "black, anti-Party gangsters". This influenced students to post hundreds of dazibao around their schools and eventually also in public places.

  • Red Guards form

    The Red Guards were first formed at Beijing University and they eliminated intellectuals and Mao's enemies. This movement spread all across the nation and they attacked anyone against Mao or the higher class.

  • Mao writes his own dazibao

    Mao wrote a dazibao that says, "Bombard the headquarters". Mao's writing has immense authority and encourages students to attack CCP leaders.

  • Sixteen Points Directive

    The Chinese government supports Mao's policies and the formation of the Red Guards. The Cultural Revolution becomes legitimate and starts to rise quickly,

  • First Red Guard Rally

    Mao directs the Red Guards to smash the "Four Olds" and tells the Red Guards to rebel. 13 million Red Guards participated in the rallies at Tiananmen Square between August and November 1966.

  • January 1967

    Red guards attacked homes, destroyed anything associated with "Four Olds", attacked the bourgeoisie, and those who belong in "Seven Kinds of Black". 38000 homes were ransacked and 1700 people were beaten to death.

  • Campaign to promote Mao's cult of personality

    Lin Biao and Jiang Qing promoted Mao like he is a God. Mao's "Little Red Book" is found in every home and people are required to carry one copy of it at all times.

  • Red Guards Dismantled

    The movement has caused deaths, decreased economic production, and destroyed cultural heritage. Mao noticed this and commands the Red Guards to be disbanded to restore order.

  • Down to the Countryside

    Mao initiates a movement known as "Down to the Countryside". This movement sends all youth to do manual labor and "reeducated" by rural peasants instead of in school.

  • Ninth Congress of CCP

    Lin Biao is promoted vice-chairman of CCP and is written as Mao's successor. Then, the new phase of the movement is to rebuild the party, reverse the damage done, establishing foreign relationships, increase grain and economical production.

  • "The Lin Biao Affair"

    Tensions grew between many groups especially between Mao and Lin Biao because Lin Biao requests promotion and Mao denies him. According to the Chinese government, Lin Biao failed a coup d'etat and died in a plane crash while fleeing.

  • "Criticize Lin Biao, Criticize Confucius"

    Wang Hongwen becomes vice chairman, Jiang Qing and Zhou Enlai has their eyes set on increasing power as well. Jiang Qing initiates a "Criticize Lin Biao" campaign" which expands to "Criticize Lin Biao, Criticize Confucius", but ultimately fails.

  • Events Leading to the end of Cultural Revolution

    Den Xiaoping becomes the first vice-premier after Zhou Enlai's death but faces criticism by Jiang Qing. Mao demotes Deng and replaces him with Hua Guofeng rather then Mao's other allies.

  • Tiananmen Incident

    When Zhou Enlai dies of Cancer, many criticize Jiang Qing and her allies. So Jiang Qing removed memorials of Zhou, which causes a riot known as the Tiananmen Incident.

  • Event Analysis: December 1968

    "Down to the Countryside" Movement Short Term Effect: Mao sends Chinese youth down to the countryside and many died from overworking, disease, and malnutrition. Long Term Effect: The youth becomes uneducated and it suppresses the youth from voicing their opinions. It allows CCP to continue its ways and strengthen itself without fear of rebellion.

  • Event Analysis: May 29, 1966

    Red Guards form at Beijing University Short term: Red Guards grew greatly in number and allowed the movement to grow rapidly. Long term: Destroyed economy, lives, homes, and cultural heritage.

  • Event Analysis: September 1971

    "The Lin Biao Affair" Short Term effect: Death of Lin Biao gave Mao absolute, certain power for one year. It also caused people to feel betrayed. Long Term effect. Chinese began to question the legitimacy of the movement.