Cultural Revolution

The Cultural Revolution (文化大革命), full name Proletariat Cultural Revolution, was an event in Chinese history initiated by Mao Zedong lasting from 1966-1976. It is illustrated in Three Body Problem Chapter 1.

It led to the mass persecution of intellectuals and loss of lives. During this time, family members would turn against each other, youths would turn against elderly.

In Three Body Problem Chapter 1, a 15 year old girl is shot dead and her corpse used as target practice. The novel says that she died fighting for some ideal cause.

Intellectuals such as Lao She, Wu Han, Jian Bozan, Fu Lei, Zhao Jiuzhang, Yi Qun, Wen Jie, Hai Mo chose to end their lives to escape the madness.