Why did the Red Guards specifically target intellectuals and artists?

The Red Guards targeted intellectuals and artists during the Cultural Revolution in China because they were seen as symbols of the "Four Olds"—old customs, old culture, old habits, and old ideas—contradicting the revolutionary ideals of the Communist Party. The leadership sought to eliminate perceived bourgeois elements that threatened the Maoist vision of society. By attacking these groups, the Red Guards aimed to promote a new cultural identity aligned with communist values and to assert their own revolutionary zeal. This campaign also served to instill fear and suppress dissent within the intellectual community.