Introduction

• Disagree overall: the Cultural Revolution (CR) did not maintain consistent intensity from 1966–1976.
• It went through distinct phases of escalation and de-escalation, largely reflecting Mao’s changing goals — from regaining control and purging political enemies, to reigning in chaos once those aims were achieved.
• After peaking in 1967–69, Mao himself pulled back the movement and repurposed it in a more controlled, less violent way until his death.

Paragraph 1: Revolutionary Build-Up and Cult Construction (1966–67)

• Launch phase of CR: mass rallies, creation of the CCRG, beginning of ideological fervour.
• Focused on attacking “capitalist roaders” (e.g. Wu Han, Peng Zhen) and eliminating old Party elite resisting Mao’s return to power.
• Mao heavily promoted his cult of personality — mass publication of the Little Red Book, symbolic acts like Song Binbin giving Mao his red armband.
• Encouraged revolutionary chaos with quotes like “Bombard the headquarters!” and “To rebel is justified.”
• “Destroy the Four Olds” (old ideas, customs, culture, habits) became a central campaign:
  • Shops and streets renamed ("Defend Mao Zedong", “Permanent Revolution”).
  • Red Guards changed children’s names to revolutionary slogans.
  • Ritualised acts like loyalty dances, factory workers reporting to Mao’s portrait.
• At this stage, violence was building but not yet fully unleashed — focus was more on symbolism, cultural change, and mobilisation of youth.

Paragraph 2: Peak Intensity and Anarchy (1967–69)

• 1967 saw the Red Terror — escalation into mass violence, school closures, social breakdown.
• Red Guards stormed party offices, overthrew local governments ("January Storm"), and took over foreign embassies.
• Widespread factional infighting among Red Guards, each trying to prove revolutionary purity.
• Anarchy and decentralised violence: in Shanxi, officials joined Red Guards to murder rivals.