First published in 1993. The Cultural Revolution (CR) was undoubtedly one of the most tumultuous and dramatic periods of China's modern history. It was marked by violence, factionalism and economic disruptions. The cataclysm it created had traumatic effects on the majority of the Chinese people, both in their private and professional lives. In this study, the author's emphasise the primordial role of Mao Zedong in instigating and prolonging the Cultural Revolution.