Vicious attacks were made on individuals who had supposedly deviated from Mao's plan.

Intellectuals and artist accused of being pro-western were especially open to attack.

Key groups however including communist party members, urban professionals, mind many military officers








A group of practical minded reformers led by Deng Xiaoping seized power and brought the cultural revolution to an end.

Mao Zedong

Deng Xiaoping

did not share Mao's desire for permanent revolution.

People, disgusted by the actions of the red guards, began to turn against the movement.

In September 1976 Mao Zedong died at the age of 82.