Along with closing China's schools and universities, and Mao's exhortations to young Chinese to randomly destroy old buildings, temples, and art, and to attack their teachers, school administrators, party leaders, and parents, the Cultural Revolution also increased Mao's prestige so much that entire villages adopted the practice of offering prayers to Mao before every meal. Whatever its other causes, the Cultural Revolution, declared in 1966, was overtly pro-Maoist, and gave Mao the power and influence to purge the Party of his political enemies at the highest levels of government. However, Liu and his political allies quickly lost control of the Cultural Revolution soon after it was called, when Mao used the movement to progressively monopolize political power and to destroy his perceived enemies.

With the goal of reforming the government to be more efficient and true to the Communist ideal, Liu himself chaired the enlarged Politburo meeting that officially began the.

Liu Shaoqi in June 1966, the first year of the Cultural Revolution By 1966, few senior leaders in China questioned the need for a widespread reform to combat the growing problems of corruption and bureaucratisation within the Party and the government. Liu's position as the second-most powerful leader of the CPC contributed to Mao's rivalry with him at least as much as Liu's political beliefs or factional allegiances in the 1960s, indicating that Liu's later persecution was the result of a power struggle that went beyond the goals and well-being of either China or the Party. After Mao succeeded in restoring his prestige during the 1960s, Liu's eventual downfall became 'inevitable'. Liu Shaoqi and, 1939 Liu was publicly acknowledged as Mao's chosen successor in 1961 however, by 1962 his opposition to Mao's policies had led Mao to mistrust him.

刘少奇 2nd In office 27 April 1959 – 31 October 1968 Premier Vice President and Leader Preceded by Succeeded by (acting) 1st of the of the In office September 15, 1954 – ApPreceded by Position Created Succeeded by 1st In office 28 September 1956 – 1 August 1966 Chairman Preceded by Position established Succeeded by Member of the In office 15 September 1954 – 21 October 1968 Constituency At-large Personal details Born ( )24 November 1898, Died 12 November 1969 () (aged 70), China Nationality Political party Spouse(s).

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