The Cultural Revolution
The Cultural Revolution (1966–1976) was Mao's attempt to purge China of anything deemed corruptive to the communist cause. The government and local citizens suppressed anything considered Western, American, or European and anything that promoted capitalism or democracy. Homes were invaded, dissidents were imprisoned in reeducation camps, and prisoners were executed for crimes against the state.
Read this text on the Cultural Revolution and its Aftermath. Make a timeline of these events. How does the Cultural Revolution compare with the Great Leap Forward?
Lin Biao's Rise and Fall
On April 1, 1969, at the CCP's Ninth Congress, Lin Biao officially became China's second in command while still holding charge of the Army. With Mao aging, Liu Shaoqi already purged, and Zhou Enlai's influence fading, his power appeared to be unrivaled. The Party constitution was modified to designate Lin as Mao's official successor. Henceforth, on all occasions, Mao's name was to be linked with Lin's. Lin also held a place on the Politburo's powerful Standing Committee together with Mao, Chen Boda, Zhou Enlai, and Kang Sheng.
Figures from the Cultural Revolution
On August 23, 1970, at the Second Plenum of the CCP's Ninth Congress, a controversy developed over the issue of the restoration of the position of President of the People's Republic of China |State President]], which Mao had previously abolished. Chen Boda, who had spoken in favor of restoring the office, was removed from the Standing Committee, a move which was also seen as a warning to Lin Biao. Mao began to suspect Lin of wanting supreme power and intending to oust Mao himself.
Subsequent events are clouded by divergences between official versions, which focus on Lin's attempt to oust Mao and alternative accounts, which view Mao as increasingly paranoid and conspiring with his allies to do away with Lin. In the official account, Lin now moved to use his military power organization in a coup. Assassination attempts were reportedly made against Mao in Shanghai from September 8 to September 10, 1971. After this, nearly continuous reports circulated of Mao being attacked. One of these alleged a physical attack on Mao en route to Beijing in his private train. Another alleged that Lin had bombed a bridge that Mao was scheduled to cross to reach Beijing.
Whether or not these reports had a basis, in fact, after September 11, 1971, Lin Biao never appeared in public again, nor did his primary backers, many of whom attempted to escape to Hong Kong. Most failed to do so, and about 20 army generals loyal to Lin were arrested.
Official reports hold that on September 13, 1971, Lin Biao and his family attempted to flee to the Soviet Union, but their plane crashed in Mongolia, killing all on board. On the same day, the Politburo met in an emergency session. Only on September 30 was Lin's death announced in Beijing, and a campaign was launched that would effectively discredit him as a power-hungry traitor who had attempted to use Mao and the Cultural Revolution for his own purposes.
The exact cause of the plane crash remains a mystery.