The Chinese Cultural Revolution was a sociopolitical movement initiated by Mao Zedong in 1966 and lasted until 1976. Its main goal was to preserve and enforce communist ideology by removing capitalist and traditional elements from Chinese society. This period was marked by widespread chaos, persecution of intellectuals, and the rise of the Red Guards, a youth militia that targeted perceived enemies of the state. During the Cultural Revolution, many cultural artifacts, historical sites, and books were destroyed, leading to significant cultural loss. The movement caused severe disruptions in education and the economy, resulting in millions of people being affected by violence, imprisonment, or forced labor. The Cultural Revolution officially ended with Mao's death in 1976, leading to a period of reform and modernization in China.