The Cultural Revolution was a chaotic mass movement in the People's Republic of China. Mao Zedong launched it in 1966, claiming that elitists were undermining the government and Chinese society. Schools were closed and millions of young people were mobilized as Red Guards, who were encouraged to challenge old ways. Books and artwork were destroyed, along with thousands of museums and temples. Individuals in positions of authority were denounced and attacked, and widespread anarchy and terror disrupted the urban economy and industry. Officially, the Revolution was declared over in 1969. However, chaos and political power struggles continued until Mao's death in 1976. Since then, most of the tenets and reforms of the Cultural Revolution have been abandoned.
