A major change that took place in China with the Cultural Revolution in the 1960s was the radical restructuring of Chinese society and governance. Launched by Mao Zedong in 1966, the Cultural Revolution aimed to preserve communist ideology by purging remnants of capitalist elements and traditional culture. It encouraged mass mobilization, especially among the youth, leading to the formation of the Red Guards, who attacked intellectuals, historical relics, and perceived enemies of the state. This upheaval resulted in widespread chaos, persecution, and the dismantling of educational institutions, causing significant social and economic disruptions that lasted throughout the decade.