The Role of Youth in Revolution

The measures documented in these excerpts appear to have very similar goals. Land reforms and the implementation of the Red Guards both sought to create a new system for China. The land reform program resulted in the distribution of farmland to almost two thirds of the rural population, and consequently it was greeted with much excitement. The Red Guards were unleashed in 1966, rampaging through China in search of anti-Maoist elements of societies and those who identified with the previous ruling class. Both the changes of land reforms and the Red Guards were dependent on young people, but more importantly on young people leading the way away from tradition and into a bright future of revolution. Young people were the ones expected to not only conform to but support the new system of land distribution, and the Red Guards were made up the rebellious youth of China. However, while land reforms were straightforward changes to old ways, implementing the Red Guards was a more violent path towards the ideal of a new socialist culture. Ironically, China took an oppresive and dividing path towards this socialist ideal.