The Three-Body Problem

The Chinese Cultural Revolution was a tumultuous and transformative period in the history of the People’s Republic of China, spanning from 1966 to 1976. Initiated by Mao Zedong, the Chairman of the Communist Party of China, the Cultural Revolution aimed to revive revolutionary fervor and cleanse the country of perceived bourgeois elements and counter-revolutionary tendencies. The Cultural Revolution began with the publication of Mao’s May 16th Notification in 1966, which called for the formation of Red Guard groups composed mainly of students. These groups were encouraged to rebel against the existing party and state authorities, targeting those deemed “revisionist” or “capitalist roaders.” The Red Guards, fueled by ideological fervor and Mao’s cult of personality, quickly spread throughout the country, initiating a wave of violence, mass mobilization, and the destruction of traditional values, culture, and institutions.

One of the primary targets of the Cultural Revolution was the education system. Schools and universities were shut down, and intellectuals, teachers, and scientists were subjected to public humiliation, forced labor, and reeducation. The Red Guards, driven by revolutionary zeal, saw education as a symbol of the old order and sought to establish a new, Maoist model of knowledge based on class struggle and loyalty to the Communist Party. The Red Guards’ actions soon spiraled out of control, resulting in chaos and violence across the country. Traditional Chinese cultural artifacts, such as ancient books, artwork, and historical relics, were destroyed as symbols of the “old” society. Temples, historical sites, and even cemeteries were vandalized, as the Red Guards sought to eradicate remnants of China’s pre-revolutionary past. Countless individuals, including government officials, intellectuals, and ordinary citizens, were subjected to public humiliation, torture, and execution.

The chaos of the Cultural Revolution also had severe economic consequences. The disruption caused by the Red Guards’ actions, coupled with the absence of a stable government, led to economic decline and widespread poverty. Industrial production plummeted, agricultural productivity suffered, and essential services, such as healthcare and transportation, deteriorated. The country was plunged into a state of social and economic turmoil, exacerbating the suffering of the Chinese people. In 1968, Mao sought to regain control of the situation by launching the “Down to the Countryside Movement.” Urban youth, including many Red Guards, were sent to rural areas to experience the hardships of agricultural labor and supposedly gain a better understanding of the revolutionary struggle. This movement further disrupted the lives of millions and exacerbated existing tensions between urban and rural populations.

Not until Mao’s death in 1976 did the Cultural Revolution finally end. The leadership that followed Mao, under Deng Xiaoping, sought to restore stability to the country. The era of the Cultural Revolution was officially declared a mistake, and those responsible for the excesses and crimes committed during that time were purged from power. Today, the Chinese government maintains a complicated relationship with the legacy of the Cultural Revolution. While acknowledging the errors of the period, the Communist Party still controls discussions and access to information about this chapter in Chinese history. The Cultural Revolution continues to shape the nation’s collective memory and has a lasting impact on Chinese society and politics, as the portrayal of the period in The Three-Body Problem demonstrates.