Activists Who Murder: Youth Violence in Mao’s China

This is what happens when an ideology replaces your morality

A propaganda poster from China’s Cultural Revolution by an unknown artist, 1967 (Wikimedia Commons)

Young people are more likely to be seduced by political radicalism. This trend has been consistent throughout history, and China’s communist revolution was no exception. Mao Zedong, also known as Chairman Mao, was at the forefront of the revolution. Mao wanted to remove the old order and turn his country into a communist state.

But Mao knew he couldn’t do this on his own. So, determined to see his political vision become a reality, he harnessed the youth of China and let them do the dirty work.

The Red Guards

Despite the horrors of the Great Chinese Famine (1959–1961), Mao was keen to push forward with his far-left agenda. Indeed, he wanted to transform China on a cultural level by destroying the past and cleansing society of anything connected with capitalism.

To begin with, the sons and daughters of prominent politicians persuaded their friends to become activists. The movement then spread to various schools and universities across the country with the help of Mao’s propaganda.

Young people started to wear paramilitary uniforms with red armbands, and they called themselves the Red Guards. They also bought copies of The…