Cultural Revolution

The Cultural Revolution, also known as the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution, was a sociopolitical movement in China that lasted a decade. It crippled the economy, ruined millions of lives and thrust China into 10 years of turmoil, bloodshed, hunger, and stagnation, with over 500,000 people losing their lives as a result. The Cultural Revolution’s short-term effects have been felt mainly in China’s cities, but its long-term effects would impact the entire country for decades to come. The Cultural Revolution damaged China's economy and traditional culture while tens of millions of people were persecuted, with an estimated death toll ranging from hundreds of thousands to 20 million.