Critically assess the cultural impact of the Cultural Revolution on the People's Republic of China in relation to other factors.

I would be looking for an answer to divide up the factors as the student sees fit but still allowing coherent analysis. Assessing cultural, economic and social factors would an obvious way to tackle this but other avenues are viable. Discussion of cultural factors such as the destruction of religious sites and linking this to the 'four olds,' campaign. As well as discussion on the suppression of intellectuals and the intelligentsia who questioned Mao. I would also be looking for a link to be made from cultural to social factors as the 'four olds' campaign persecuted most sections of society. Also the stunted education of that generation would need to be analysed. Any discussion of the oppression of cultural minorities such as Tibetans or Uighurs would fit well into this section. For economic factors a discussion of the desire to meet industrial output of industrialised nations the creation of backyard foundries as well as the policies Mao implemented to meet these aims, i.e. the Five Year Plan. Throughout any discussion I would encourage students to analyse each factors, realise any crossover and try to establish links between each area. This will help with the quality of their analysis and help to reach a well reasoned and coherent conclusion.