50 years ago, China launched cultural revolution

On May 16, 1966, the Communist Party's Politburo produced a document announcing the start of what was formally known as the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution to pursue class warfare and enlist the population in mass political movements. Launched by leader Mao Zedong, it set off a decade of tumult to revive communist goals and enforce a radical egalitarianism. The Cultural Revolution took on an agenda characterized by extreme violence, leading to the downfall of leading officials, factional battles, mass rallies and the exile of educated youths to the countryside. It wound up severely threatening the Communist Party's legitimacy to rule.

The Cultural Revolution finally came to a close with Mao's death on Sept. 9, 1976.

 

These photos from The Associated Press' archives offer a look at the Cultural Revolution that began a half-century ago Monday.

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See these photos on APImages.com

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China Cultural Revolution Photo Gallery

FILE - In this Jan. 23, 1967 photo, young Chinese gathered outside a factory wave copies of the collected writings of Communist Party Chairman Mao Zedong, often referred to as Mao's Little Red Book. Monday, May 16, 2016 marks the 50th anniversary of a 1966 party meeting that spearheaded the 10-year Cultural Revolution, a violent and frequently chaotic attempt by Mao to reassert his power and revive his party's egalitarian ideals. (AP Photo, File)

China Cultural Revolution Photo Gallery

FILE - In this file photo taken Nov. 1, 1967, Chinese citizens view writings and slogans emblazoned on a wall at the height of the decade-long Cultural Revolution initiated a year earlier by Communist Party Chairman Mao Zedong in Beijing. On May 16, 1966, the Communist Party's Politburo produced a document announcing the start of what was formally known as the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution to pursue class warfare and enlist the population in mass political movements. Launched by leader Mao Zedong, it set off a decade of tumult to revive communist goals and enforce a radical egalitarianism. (AP Photo, File)

China Cultural Revolution Photo Gallery

FILE - In this file photo taken Dec. 5, 1980, Mao Zedong's widow Jiang Qing sits in the defendant's box during her trial for various crimes committed during China's violent 1966-76 Cultural Revolution. Jiang claimed she was being scapegoated for implementing Mao's directives that resulted in the persecution of millions. On May 16, 1966, the Communist Party's Politburo produced a document announcing the start of what was formally known as the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution to pursue class warfare and enlist the population in mass political movements. Launched by leader Mao Zedong, it set off a decade of tumult to revive communist goals and enforce a radical egalitarianism. (AP Photo, File)

China Cultural Revolution Photo Gallery

FILE - In this file photo taken May 27, 1967, a child plays with a bamboo pole near government posters that attacks then Chinese president Liu Shaoqi as anti-Maoist during the cultural revolution in Shanghai, China. Poster at right urges support of the revolution. Monday, May 16, 2016 marks the 50th anniversary of a 1966 party meeting that spearheaded the 10-year Cultural Revolution, a violent and frequently chaotic attempt by Mao to reassert his power and revive his party's egalitarian ideals. (AP Photo, File )

China Cultural Revolution Photo Gallery

FILE - In this file photo taken Sept. 14, 1966, youths are seen at a rally during the height of the Red Guard upheaval waving copies of the collected writings of Communist Party Chairman Mao Zedong, often referred to as Mao's Little Red Book and carrying a poster of Karl Marx. On May 16, 1966, the Communist Party's Politburo produced a document announcing the start of what was formally known as the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution to pursue class warfare and enlist the population in mass political movements. Launched by leader Mao Zedong, it set off a decade of tumult to revive communist goals and enforce a radical egalitarianism. (AP Photo, File)

China Cultural Revolution photo Gallery

FILE - In this file photo taken Aug. 1966, religious sculptures lean against the wall of a suburban Beijing Buddhist temple after being ripped from their pedestals by youthful Red Guards infused by Communist Party Chairman Mao Zedong's calls to root out vestiges of old Chinese culture. Monday, May 16, 2016 marks the 50th anniversary of a 1966 party meeting that spearheaded the 10-year Cultural Revolution, a violent and frequently chaotic attempt by Mao to reassert his power and revive his party's egalitarian ideals. (AP Photo, File)

China Cultural Revolution Photo Gallery

FILE - In this file photo from 1966, former Chinese leader Mao Zedong observes Cultural Revolution inspired Red Guards assembled in Beijing's Tiananmen Square. On May 16, 1966, the Communist Party's Politburo produced a document announcing the start of what was formally known as the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution to pursue class warfare and enlist the population in mass political movements. Launched by leader Mao Zedong, it set off a decade of tumult to revive communist goals and enforce a radical egalitarianism. (AP Photo, File)

China Cultural Revolution Photo Gallery

FILE - In this file photo taken Aug. 10, 1966, a young woman identified only as Ms. Zhou calls out to embolden her fellow Red Guards in Beijing's Tiananmen Square at the start of the 1966-76 Cultural Revolution. On May 16, 1966, the Communist Party's Politburo produced a document announcing the start of what was formally known as the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution to pursue class warfare and enlist the population in mass political movements. Launched by leader Mao Zedong, it set off a decade of tumult to revive communist goals and enforce a radical egalitarianism. (AP Photo, File)

China Cultural Revolution Photo Gallery

FILE - In this file photo taken Aug. 27, 1966, youthful members of the radical Red Guard movement stand at the entrance of a Buddhist temple near Beijing adorned with a portrait of their hero, Communist Party leader Mao Zedong. During the start of the violent Cultural Revolution, religious institutions and aspects of traditional Chinese culture were relentlessly attacked. Monday, May 16, 2016 marks the 50th anniversary of a May 16, 1966 party meeting that spearheaded the 10-year Cultural Revolution, a violent and frequently chaotic attempt by Mao to reassert his power and revive his party's egalitarian ideals. (AP Photo, File)

China Cultural Revolution Photo Gallery

FILE - In this file photo taken Aug. 27, 1966, a buddha statue is covered with signs reading "Destroy the old world," and "Establish a new world," by ultra-patriotic Red Guard who reject ancient Chinese traditions at Lin Yin temple in Hangzhou, eastern China's Zhejiang province. Monday, May 16, 2016 marks the 50th anniversary of a 1966 party meeting that spearheaded the 10-year Cultural Revolution, a violent and frequently chaotic attempt by Mao to reassert his power and revive his party's egalitarian ideals. (AP Photo, File)

China Cultural Revolution Photo Gallery

FILE - In this file photo taken Jan. 8, 1967, two men with placards around their necks are declared anti-revolutionary elements and paraded through the streets of Beijing by members of the Red Guard during the early days of the Cultural Revolution launched by Mao Zedong. Monday, May 16, 2016 marks the 50th anniversary of a May 16, 1966 party meeting that spearheaded the 10-year Cultural Revolution, a violent and frequently chaotic attempt by Mao to reassert his power and revive his party's egalitarian ideals. (AP Photo, File)

China Cultural Revolution Photo Gallery

FILE - In this file photo taken in 1966, Mao Zedong waves at the beginning of China's Cultural Revolution. On May 16, 1966, the Communist Party's Politburo produced a document announcing the start of what was formally known as the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution to pursue class warfare and enlist the population in mass political movements. Launched by leader Mao Zedong, it set off a decade of tumult to revive communist goals and enforce a radical egalitarianism. (AP Photo, File)

China Cultural Revolution Photo Gallery

FILE - In this file photo taken Aug. 29, 1966, drummers raise their cymbals and sticks as others hold up small booklets containing the writings of then Chairman Mao Zedong during a demonstration by Red Guard youth groups in front of the Soviet Embassy in Beijing. On May 16, 1966, the Communist Party's Politburo produced a document announcing the start of what was formally known as the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution to pursue class warfare and enlist the population in mass political movements. Launched by leader Mao Zedong, it set off a decade of tumult to revive communist goals and enforce a radical egalitarianism. (AP Photo, File)

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Text from the AP news story, AP PHOTOS: 50 years ago, China launched Cultural Revolution. 

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