Revolutionary Committee

Chinese government

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 13, 2026

Quick Summary

The term "Revolutionary Committee" in the context of Chinese government primarily refers to bodies established during the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976). Launched by Mao Zedong, this movement aimed to purge perceived "bourgeois" elements and reassert communist ideology. Revolutionary Committees were formed as a new administrative structure, often composed of former party cadres, young activists, and military representatives, replacing traditional government bodies. These committees played a role in the political upheaval and social restructuring that characterized the era. The Cultural Revolution caused widespread destruction, millions of deaths, and significant economic disruption, ultimately leading to China's eventual embrace of capitalism.12

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

4 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

China
Seizure of power
…adopted was called a “revolutionary committee” (geming weiyuanhui); that appellation subsequently was given to Chinese government committees until the late 1970s.
Read More
…adopted was called a “revolutionary committee” (geming weiyuanhui); that appellation subsequently was given to Chinese government committees until the late 1970s.
Read More