The Cultural Revolution began in 1966, and ended with Mao Zedong's death in 1976. It was the harshest communism in China's history. Mao encouraged intellectuals to criticize his government when he said "let a hundred flowers bloom, let a hundred schools of thought contend." However, he didn't like the harsh criticism. Mao's government unleashed a massive censorship campaign, firming a tight grip around the People's Republic of China.