Why did Mao start the Cultural Revolution?

A) He wanted to restore traditional Chinese culture

B) He wanted to speed up change and eliminate Western, capitalist influence.

C) He wanted to speed up the economy by promoting capitalism.

D) He thought government officials had promoted a very narrow view of communism.

Question

History

Marin Page

27 February, 08:54

Why did Mao start the Cultural Revolution?

A) He wanted to restore traditional Chinese culture

B) He wanted to speed up change and eliminate Western, capitalist influence.

C) He wanted to speed up the economy by promoting capitalism.

D) He thought government officials had promoted a very narrow view of communism.

+2

Answers (1)

Know the Answer?

Maggie Benton · Answer 1

Correct answer: B) He wanted to speed up change and eliminate Western, capitalist influence.

Context/explanation:

Mao Zedong began the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution (its official name) in 1966. A big part of the program was the closing of China's schools, because Mao saw the majority of educators as bourgeois types who were failing to support the communist revolution. The Cultural Revolution was an insistence on loyalty to communist party ideology.

The Red Guard was formed, which was made up of high school and college students (no longer attending school, since schools were shut down). These radicalized students became militants for Mao over against those whom he considered not revolutionary enough. The Red Guard destroyed historical artifacts and writings of the of China's former culture. They also attacked persons who were seen to be resisting Chairman Mao's permanent revolution.