"Chinese people always want to find a master key which can open all doors, a person who can solve all their problems," says political scientist Wu. "But people didn't realize Mao didn't really want freedom and equality. He didn't grant them freedom, he just wanted people to follow him and to topple those he didn't like."
The ferocity of the movement and the reign of terror also ensured that no one dared to speak out, afraid they would be punished harshly for being "counter-revolutionary."
"Hundreds of millions of people, no one dared say anything ... some were beaten to death immediately [after doing so]," Xu says, recounting how his classmate's mother was beaten to death in front of her family after she scolded a group of Red Guards -- militant leftist youths loyal to Mao -- for raiding her home.
"It was communist totalitarianism without any voices of opposition. It was unprecedented," Li adds.
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