Introduction
The Cultural Revolution was a tragic period for the Chinese people and their civilization. Mao launched the Cultural Revolution in order to eradicate the culture of pre-Communist China and to secure his power. Mao's Red Guards attacked the Four Olds: old habits, ideas, customs and culture. Schools and hospitals were closed, books were burned, teachers and professors were humiliated, priceless ancient art was destroyed, and factories were thrown into chaos. Violence was directed at intellectuals and others considered to be subversive. Infighting among the Guards contributed to the state of anarchy. Perhaps one of the most devastating results of the Cultural Revolution was that a whole generation of youth, "the lost generation," was denied education.
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