Hey, future history buffs! 🌟 So, you want to dive into the complicated world of China's Cultural Revolution and figure out the role of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), huh? Well, brace yourselves, because we're going on a wild ride! 🎢

• Time Period: 1966-67 (First two years of the Cultural Revolution)
• Problem
  • Industrial production stopped 🏭
  • Schools and universities closed 🏫
  • Local civil wars broke out ⚔️
• Red Guard Issues
  • Zeal and passion turned into inner clashes 😲
  • Factory workers and students began to feud over leadership 🤼‍♂️

🌍 Real-world Example: Imagine if high school cliques suddenly decided they were the best fit to run the whole school, causing endless bickering and drama. Administrators (the authorities) would step in to restore order, right? That's what happened here.

• PLA's Initial Stance: Approved of student violence initially but didn't want to share the limelight 🎭
• PLA's Claim: We're Mao's BFFs, so we should lead the Cultural Revolution 👑
• Action: Took over the work of the Red Guards 🔄
  • Traveled throughout China 🗺️
  • Hunted down 'counter-revolutionaries' 🎯

🌍 Real-world Example: Think of the PLA as a superstar athlete who doesn't want to share the MVP award. They believe they're the true heroes and want everyone to know it. So, they take over the game entirely!