How were the Red Guards organized during the Cultural Revolution?

During the Cultural Revolution, the Red Guards were organized as paramilitary units composed primarily of university and high school students. Formed under the auspices of the Chinese Communist Party in 1966, these groups were mobilized to support Chairman Mao Zedong in his efforts to purge "revisionist" authorities and eliminate remnants of traditional culture.1

The organization of the Red Guards was characterized by:

• Structure and Identity: Members often wore green jackets resembling Chinese army uniforms, distinguished by red armbands. They engaged in marches, meetings, and propaganda efforts to target intellectuals, teachers, and party officials.1
• Factionalism: As the movement progressed, the Red Guards splintered into zealous, rival factions. Each faction claimed to be the "true" representative of Maoist thought, leading to intense internal power struggles and, by 1967, widespread armed clashes in urban areas.123
• Dissolution: Due to the resulting anarchy and disruption of industrial production, the government eventually intervened. In 1968, the military was dispatched to restore order, and millions of Red Guards were forced to relocate to the countryside, effectively dismantling their urban organizations.123