History of Asia

What is the death toll of Chinese Cultural Revolution?

Estimates of the death toll of the Cultural Revolution in China vary widely. Some sources put the number at as low as 500,000, while others put it as high as 20 million. The most commonly cited figure is around 1 million.

The Cultural Revolution was a period of social upheaval in China from 1966 to 1976. It was led by Mao Zedong, the leader of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The Cultural Revolution was intended to purge the CCP of counter-revolutionaries and to promote a new, socialist culture.

During the Cultural Revolution, many people were persecuted, including intellectuals, teachers, and government officials. Many were also killed in factional violence or sent to labor camps. The Cultural Revolution had a devastating impact on China and set the country back economically and socially.

The exact death toll of the Cultural Revolution is unknown and may never be known. However, it is clear that it was a major human tragedy.