The Cultural Revolution

In this episode of In Our Time, Michael Rapport leads a discussion with Rana Mitter, Sun Peidong, and Julia Lovell about the Cultural Revolution in China, initiated by Chairman Mao in 1966. The panel explores the historical context, including the Great Leap Forward and the Sino-Soviet split, Mao's motivations for launching the revolution, and the role of the Red Guards. They delve into the impact of the Cultural Revolution both within China, such as the economic disruption and the disillusionment following the death of Lin Biao, and its effects on the broader world, including the Cold War and global communist movements. The discussion also covers the varying perspectives on the Cultural Revolution in contemporary China and its long-term consequences on Chinese society and politics.