The Chinese leader responsible for the Cultural Revolution in the 1960s was Mao Zedong. Launched in 1966, the Cultural Revolution aimed to reinforce communist ideology by removing capitalist and traditional elements from Chinese society. Mao sought to reassert his control over the Communist Party and the nation, promoting the idea that the revolution should continue beyond the initial victory in 1949. The movement led to widespread persecution of intellectuals, destruction of cultural heritage, and social chaos, resulting in significant suffering and loss of life. The Cultural Revolution left a lasting impact on Chinese society, shaping contemporary China's political and cultural landscape.