Cultural Revolution

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    Leading Up

    The events leading up to the revolution occurred in 1965, mostly involving Jiang Qing and Mao.
  • May 16 Circular

    The unofficial start of the CR is when the “May 16 Circular” was printed, telling people that the CCP was catching reactionaries.
  • First Dazibao

    The first dazibao was written by a young teacher protesting against university authorities, and sparked the start of students writing dazibaos.
  • Red Guards

    The first group of Red Guards gathers at Beijing University.
  • Mao writes Dazibao

    Mao wrote a dazibao, encouraging the Red Guards to do so too.
  • Sixteen Point Directive

    The CCP passed a document stating that the Chinese government supported Mao’s policies and the formation of the Red Guards.
  • Red Guards Rally

    Red Guards rally for the first time and Mao greets them, encouraging them by telling them to get rid of the “Four Olds”.
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    Chaos

    Chaos continues and violence is a common sight, with people attacking each other.
  • Red Guards Dismantled

    The Red Guards are dismantled after Mao realizes that they are tearing apart the country.
  • Down to the Countryside Movement

    Down to the Countryside Movement, when a bunch of youth were sent to work on farms or in the military, even though they didn’t have experience in these jobs.
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    Mao's Personality Campaigns

    Lin Biao and Jiang Qing lanched campaigns to promote Mao’s cult of personality.
  • People's Daily

    People's Daily Editorial calls the CR a success in the papers.
  • Ninth Congress of CCP

    The Ninth Congress of CCP is established, and party leaders who lasted past all the chaos come together, also Mao declares the end of the CR.
  • Lin Biao's Death

    Chinese government said Lin Biao was planning a coup d’etat and tried to assassinated Mao, Lin Biao dies on the 13th.
  • Mourning of Zhou Enlai

    Many people gather to mourn for Zhou Enlai in Tiananmen Square.
  • Mao's Death

    Mao’s death, Hua Guofeng replaces him as chairman of the CCP and he orders the arrest of the Gang of Four.