A Decade of Upheaval

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Drawing on a wide array of primary sources, including work diaries, interviews, and official documents, this book systematically investigates the political conflict structure in Feng County, a poor and remote area of China, during the decade from the Red Guard movement in 1966 to Mao Zedong's death and the fall of the "Gang of Four" in 1976. It is the first study to concentrate on county-level politics in this period, revealing a surprising extent of social and political disruption that persisted throughout the decade. These events challenge the prevailing scholarly view that the Cultural Revolution's upheavals were mainly urban, demonstrating that this rural county faced factional struggles as intensely as any documented locale in China. The book is organized chronologically into short chapters, guiding readers through the unfolding factional warfare while reflecting on how these conflicts mirrored national trends and highlighting Feng County's unique experiences. Ultimately, it offers a detailed chronicle of the Cultural Revolution's impact on a rural county, shedding light on the pervasive nature of the upheaval and emphasizing the often-overlooked rural perspective.