AQA · A-Level · History
Course version: 7042 · Version from Sept 2017
The development of the Cultural Revolution: the actions of the Red Guards;…
Full specification wording
2P The Transformation of China, 1936–1997 – The Cultural Revolution, 1966–1976 (A-level only): The development of the Cultural Revolution: the actions of the Red Guards; Lin Biao and the PLA; the widening and radicalisation of campaigns; the purging of the Red Guards; the end of the campaign by 1969 and its political aftermath; the fortunes of Lin Biao, Jiang Qing and the Shanghai radicals, Zhou Enlai and Deng Xiaoping
The development of the Cultural Revolution saw Mao mobilise the Red Guards to attack the 'Four Olds', leading to widespread violence and radicalisation of campaigns.
Checked against the AQA 7042 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 2 of 4
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
The development of the Cultural Revolution saw Mao mobilise the Red Guards to attack the 'Four Olds', leading to widespread violence and radicalisation of campaigns. Lin Biao and the PLA provided crucial logistical and ideological support, elevating Mao's cult of personality. As factional violence escalated, Mao authorised the PLA to purge the Red Guards, ending the mass campaign phase by 1969. The political aftermath reshaped the CCP leadership. Lin Biao became Mao's designated successor before his death in 1971. Jiang Qing and the Shanghai radicals maintained cultural dominance, while Zhou Enlai managed state affairs and facilitated the rehabilitation of pragmatists, notably Deng Xiaoping, setting the stage for future struggles.
What earns the marks
- Detail the actions of the Red Guards, including their attacks on the 'Four Olds' and the resulting factional violence.
- Explain the role of Lin Biao and the PLA in supporting the Red Guards initially and later suppressing them to restore order.
- Analyse the political aftermath of 1969, focusing on the shifting power dynamics and the formal end of the mass mobilisation phase.
- Evaluate the changing fortunes of key figures, contrasting the rise and fall of Lin Biao with the survival and rehabilitation of Zhou Enlai and Deng Xiaoping.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Assuming the Cultural Revolution ended completely in 1969.
Put it right: Clarify that while the mass campaign and Red Guard phase ended by 1969, the political and cultural purges continued until Mao's death in 1976.
Treating the Red Guards as a unified, monolithic group.
Put it right: Explain that the Red Guards fractured into rival factions, leading to the widening and radicalisation of violence that forced the PLA to intervene.
Overlooking Zhou Enlai's role during this period.
Put it right: Emphasise that Zhou Enlai played a crucial role in keeping the state functioning and protecting some officials from the worst excesses of the radicals.
Exam tips
- Use the 'Up to the Mountains and Down to the Villages' campaign as a specific example of how the Red Guards were purged and dispersed by the PLA.
- When discussing the fortunes of key figures, contrast the radical influence of Jiang Qing with the moderating, administrative role of Zhou Enlai.
- Link the radicalisation of the campaigns directly to the breakdown of law and order, which necessitated the PLA's intervention and the subsequent rise of Lin Biao's influence.
Try the lesson
The start of the 2P The Transformation of China, 1936–1997 – The Cultural Revolution, 1966–1976 (A-level only): The development of the Cultural Revolution: the actions of the Red Guards; Lin Biao and the PLA; the widening and radicalisation of campaigns; the purging of the Red Guards; the end of the campaign by 1969 and its political aftermath; the fortunes of Lin Biao, Jiang Qing and the Shanghai radicals, Zhou Enlai and Deng Xiaoping lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
What was the primary role of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) under Lin Biao during the early stages of the Cultural Revolution?
Listen
The development of the Cultural Revolution saw Mao mobilise the Red Guards to attack the 'Four Olds', leading to widespread violence and radicalisation of campaigns. Lin Biao and the PLA provided crucial logistical and ideological support, elevating Mao's cult of personality. As factional violence escalated, Mao authorised the PLA to purge the Red Guards, ending the mass campaign phase by 1969. The political aftermath reshaped the CCP leadership. Lin Biao became Mao's designated successor before his death in 1971. Jiang Qing and the Shanghai radicals maintained cultural dominance, while Zhou Enlai managed state affairs and facilitated the rehabilitation of pragmatists, notably Deng Xiaoping, setting the stage for future struggles. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Detail the actions of the Red Guards, including their attacks on the 'Four Olds' and the resulting factional violence. Explain the role of Lin Biao and the PLA in supporting the Red Guards initially and later suppressing them to restore order. Analyse the political aftermath of 1969, focusing on the shifting power dynamics and the formal end of the mass mobilisation phase. Evaluate the changing fortunes of key figures, contrasting the rise and fall of Lin Biao with the survival and rehabilitation of Zhou Enlai and Deng Xiaoping. A common slip: Assuming the Cultural Revolution ended completely in 1969. Instead, Clarify that while the mass campaign and Red Guard phase ended by 1969, the political and cultural purges continued until Mao's death in 1976. Exam tip: Use the 'Up to the Mountains and Down to the Villages' campaign as a specific example of how the Red Guards were purged and dispersed by the PLA.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Radicalisation and Violence
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Military Intervention
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Political Survival
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Factional Conflict
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Radicalisation and Violence
- The widening and radicalisation of campaigns, with factional violence escalating as the Red Guards fractured into rival factions.
- Military Intervention
- The PLA provided logistical and ideological support before being authorised to purge the Red Guards and restore order.
- Political Survival
- The changing fortunes of key figures, contrasting the rise and fall of Lin Biao with the survival and rehabilitation of Zhou Enlai and Deng Xiaoping.
- Factional Conflict
- The Red Guards fractured into rival factions, leading to the widening and radicalisation of violence that forced the PLA to intervene.
There is more to this lesson
The full lesson goes on to check your understanding and help you earn the marks. Create a free account to carry on, with your progress saved.
A week of Premium from your first lesson · Then the free plan continues · No card, no charge
Test your understanding of 2P The Transformation of China, 1936–1997 – The Cultural Revolution, 1966–1976 (A-level only): The development of the Cultural Revolution: the actions of the Red Guards; Lin Biao and the PLA; the widening and radicalisation of campaigns; the purging of the Red Guards; the end of the campaign by 1969 and its political aftermath; the fortunes of Lin Biao, Jiang Qing and the Shanghai radicals, Zhou Enlai and Deng Xiaoping
Active recall beats re-reading. Take an instant quiz now to test what you’ve learned and lock it into long-term memory.
A week of Premium from your first lesson · Then the free plan continues · No card, no charge