The Communist Party took over China in 1949. The ensuing power struggle among the Communist leaders resulted in Mao Zedong launching the Cultural Revolution in 1966.
Chairman Mao wanted to destroy the culture of pre-Communist China and to regain power from his opponents. With the help of his wife, Jiang Qing, Mao organized the Red Guard, composed of middle school and high school students. Led by Mao’s followers from the People’s Liberation Army, the Red Guard imprisoned and murdered millions of intellectuals, opposition leaders, and anyone who spoke against Mao’s ideology.
Mao’s power reached its peak during the middle of the Cultural Revolution. During those years, everyone in China had to carry a little red book and wear Mao-style clothes and buttons bearing his portrait. Radio and loudspeakers broadcasted Mao’s quotations and revolutionary songs. Every home and public building and space was decorated with Mao statues and quotations. China’s economy reeled. Stores were empty and goods rationed.
Students were encouraged to rebel against teachers and inform on their politically incorrect seniors—including their parents—and
act as an ideological militia to ensure the victory of Mao’s massive cleansing of his opponents.
While the Cultural Revolution officially ended in 1969 and the worst abuses stopped, the politically charged atmosphere continued until Mao’s death on September 9, 1976.
On October 6, less than a month later, the new chairman of the Chinese Communist Party, Hua Guofeng, ordered the arrest of Jiang Qing and her conspirators, the so-called Gang of Four. Jiang Qing was sentenced to death, later changed to life imprisonment. In 1991, she reportedly committed suicide in jail.
Today, China is still a Communist country, but perhaps in name only. Even though the government is a powerful dictatorship, in recent years it has instituted many free-market and capitalist-style reforms to the economy. This has led to joint ventures with foreign companies and an enormous increase in the standard of living for millions of people. Goods are no longer rationed; many are now imported from all over the world. After a long slumber, China is awakening and taking its place on the world stage.