How did the People’s Liberation Army gain influence during the Cultural Revolution?

The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) gained significant influence during the Cultural Revolution through a series of strategic assignments and its role in restoring order as the movement progressed.

Pre-Revolutionary Foundation

Even before the formal launch of the Cultural Revolution, Mao Zedong and Lin Biao worked to elevate the military's status. By 1963, Mao encouraged the public to "learn from the PLA," and in 1964, he mandated that political departments modeled after those in the military be established across government bureaucracies, often staffed by PLA personnel who effectively penetrated the civilian apparatus.1

Expansion of Authority

• Direct Involvement: In May 1966, Mao secretly assigned the army major responsibilities regarding cultural and educational affairs.23
• Ideological Role: The military served as a model of ideological purity, with the Liberation Army Daily playing a key role in publicizing attacks on targets selected by Mao and his allies.45
• Restoring Order: By 1968, following widespread anarchy and factional violence among Red Guards, Mao utilized the military to stabilize the country. The PLA dispatched officers to take control of schools, factories, and government agencies, and forcibly relocated millions of urban Red Guards to the countryside.67