Pearson Edexcel · A-Level · History
Course version: 9HI0 · Version from Sept 2015
Winding down the Cultural Revolution, 1968–76: restoration of order by the…
Full specification wording
The Cultural Revolution and its aftermath, 1966–76: Winding down the Cultural Revolution, 1968–76: restoration of order by the PLA; ‘up to the mountains and down to the villages’ campaign; the return to power of Deng Xiaoping and Zhou Enlai; reining in the Gang of Four. The death of Mao.
After 1968 Mao moved to end the worst disorder.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 9HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 4 of 4
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
After 1968 Mao moved to end the worst disorder. The PLA restored order, disbanding Red Guard factions and installing revolutionary committees. From 1968 the ‘up to the mountains and down to the villages’ campaign sent millions of urban educated youths to rural areas, reducing city unrest and spreading Maoist authority. Zhou Enlai and Deng Xiaoping returned to prominent roles, with Deng rehabilitating in 1973 and directing economic recovery. The Gang of Four, led by Jiang Qing, was increasingly reined in as Mao and the party leadership checked its influence. Mao died in September 1976, and the Gang of Four was arrested the following month, effectively ending the Cultural Revolution.
What earns the marks
- Explains how the PLA restored order after 1968 by suppressing Red Guard factions, restoring transport and production, and establishing revolutionary committees.
- Describes the ‘up to the mountains and down to the villages’ campaign as a mass relocation of urban youths to rural areas from 1968, and assesses its aims and consequences.
- Traces the return to power of Zhou Enlai and Deng Xiaoping, including Deng’s 1973 rehabilitation and his role in economic reconstruction.
- Explains how the Gang of Four was reined in through political manoeuvring and criticism before Mao’s death, and how its arrest in October 1976 ended its influence.
- Places Mao’s death in September 1976 as the pivotal event that allowed the post-Mao leadership to close the Cultural Revolution.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Treating the PLA’s restoration of order as a return to pre-1966 normality.
Put it right: Note that military-backed revolutionary committees still enforced Maoist politics.
Confusing the ‘up to the mountains and down to the villages’ campaign with earlier Red Guard activity.
Put it right: Date it from 1968 and link it to demobilising urban youth.
Assuming the Gang of Four was removed before Mao died.
Put it right: Place its arrest in October 1976, after Mao’s death in September.
Exam tips
- Sequence the winding-down events clearly: PLA order, rural relocation, Zhou and Deng’s return, checking the Gang of Four, Mao’s death.
- Use the phrase ‘up to the mountains and down to the villages’ accurately and explain its purpose rather than only translating it.
- Distinguish Zhou Enlai’s and Deng Xiaoping’s returns from the later removal of the Gang of Four, as they are separate political processes.
Try the lesson
The start of the The Cultural Revolution and its aftermath, 1966–76: Winding down the Cultural Revolution, 1968–76: restoration of order by the PLA; ‘up to the mountains and down to the villages’ campaign; the return to power of Deng Xiaoping and Zhou Enlai; reining in the Gang of Four. The death of Mao. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which body was mainly used from 1968 to restore order and end the most violent phase of the Cultural Revolution?
Listen
After 1968 Mao moved to end the worst disorder. The PLA restored order, disbanding Red Guard factions and installing revolutionary committees. From 1968 the ‘up to the mountains and down to the villages’ campaign sent millions of urban educated youths to rural areas, reducing city unrest and spreading Maoist authority. Zhou Enlai and Deng Xiaoping returned to prominent roles, with Deng rehabilitating in 1973 and directing economic recovery. The Gang of Four, led by Jiang Qing, was increasingly reined in as Mao and the party leadership checked its influence. Mao died in September 1976, and the Gang of Four was arrested the following month, effectively ending the Cultural Revolution. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Explains how the PLA restored order after 1968 by suppressing Red Guard factions, restoring transport and production, and establishing revolutionary committees. Describes the ‘up to the mountains and down to the villages’ campaign as a mass relocation of urban youths to rural areas from 1968, and assesses its aims and consequences. Traces the return to power of Zhou Enlai and Deng Xiaoping, including Deng’s 1973 rehabilitation and his role in economic reconstruction. Explains how the Gang of Four was reined in through political manoeuvring and criticism before Mao’s death, and how its arrest in October 1976 ended its influence. A common slip: Treating the PLA’s restoration of order as a return to pre-1966 normality. Instead, note that military-backed revolutionary committees still enforced Maoist politics. Exam tip: Sequence the winding-down events clearly: PLA order, rural relocation, Zhou and Deng’s return, checking the Gang of Four, Mao’s death.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Military restoration of order
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Rural relocation of urban youth
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Rehabilitation of senior leaders
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Decline of the Gang of Four and Mao’s death
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See every definition
- Military restoration of order
- After 1968 the PLA restored order by disbanding Red Guard factions and installing revolutionary committees, which still enforced Maoist politics.
- Rural relocation of urban youth
- From 1968 the ‘up to the mountains and down to the villages’ campaign sent millions of urban educated youths to rural areas, reducing city unrest and spreading Maoist authority.
- Rehabilitation of senior leaders
- Zhou Enlai and Deng Xiaoping returned to prominent roles, with Deng rehabilitating in 1973 and directing economic recovery.
- Decline of the Gang of Four and Mao’s death
- The Gang of Four, led by Jiang Qing, was increasingly reined in as Mao and the party leadership checked its influence; Mao died in September 1976 and the Gang was arrested the following month.
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