Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution
Proper noun A major sociopolitical movement in China, led by Mao Zedong, beginning in 1966. Its stated goals were to preserve 'true' communist ideology by purging remnants of capitalist and traditional elements from Chinese society and to reinvigorate the revolutionary spirit. The movement was characterized by mass mobilization, particularly of youth in the Red Guard, and led to widespread political persecution, violence, and social upheaval.
This term is used as a proper noun to refer specifically to this historical period and event. * Historians continue to debate the complex legacy of the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution. * The Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution had a profound impact on Chinese arts and education. * Many families were displaced during the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution.
- The term is often abbreviated to the Cultural Revolution in historical and political discourse. When used this way, it is typically capitalized as it still refers to the specific event.
- Her research focuses on propaganda art from the Cultural Revolution era.
- Cultural Revolution (n): The common abbreviated form of the full term.
- Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution (n): The full, formal name of the movement.
- Cultural Revolution (This is the direct and most common synonym, being its shortened form.)
- Red Guard (n): Paramilitary social movements of students and other young people mobilized by Mao during the Cultural Revolution.
- Mao Zedong (n): The Chairman of the Chinese Communist Party who initiated the movement.
- Purge (n/v): The often violent removal of people considered disloyal or counter-revolutionary, a key feature of the period.
- Upheaval (n): A violent or sudden change or disruption, describing the social and cultural effects of the revolution.
- a radical reform in China initiated by Mao Zedong in 1965 and carried out largely by the Red Guard; intended to eliminate counterrevolutionary elements in the government it resulted in purges of the intellectuals and socioeconomic chaos