The Rise and Fall of the Gang of Four

L/O – To identify the key features of the Gang of Four and to explain the effect of the Gang of Four on the

CCPJiang Qing

Yao Wenyuan

Zhang Chunquiao Wang Hongwen

Vs.Zhou Enlai

Deng Xiaoping

Power Groupings after the Cultural Revolution

In the aftermath of the Cultural Revolution, there were three main power groupings within the Chinese political system:

Lin Biao and the

PLA

Zhou Enlai and the

bureaucracy

Jiang Qing and the

Shanghai Radicals

Mao 1969-1976• Mao announced the Cultural Revolution was over in

1969. He was now in a strong position. Most of the moderates had been expelled from the party and the government and Mao’s supporters controlled the top positions.

• In 1969, Lin Biao was named as second-in-command. However, Lin Biao began to doubt Mao whilst Mao feared that Lin might try to oust him as leader.

• In 1971, Lin drew up a plan to overthrow Mao which was code-named ‘Project 571’. The plot was discovered and Lin tried to escape but his plan ‘crashed’ in the Mongolian desert.

Right vs. Left in the 1970sDuring the early 1970s there was a growing power struggle between right-wing

moderates and left-wing radicals for control of the Communist Party and the government of China:

The Left The Right

• This was led by Mao’s wife, Jiang Qing and three radical politicians from Shanghai known as the Gang of Four. The other

three were Zhang Chunquiao, Yao Wenyuan and Wang Hongwen.

• Supported by Communist Youth League AND had control of the press and radio.

• The Left followed Mao Zedong Thought and wanted to continue the power struggle between the social classes.

• Capitalists and Reactionaries of all kinds had to be removed. Follow the mass line.

• The Right were led by:

• Prime Minister Zhou Enlai AND Deputy Prime Minister, Deng Xiaoping who had

been brought back into power.

• Supported by the CCP and the PLA.

• The Right wanted an end to political arguments and struggles.

• Wanted reform and modernisation and supported Zhou’s plan for Four

Modernisations of China’s industry, farming, defence and science.

The Gang of Four

Jiang Qing

Yao Wenyuan

Zhang Chunquiao

Wang Hongwen

Rise of Gang of Four• The Right suffered a real setback in 1976

when Zhou died and was succeeded by Deng Xiaoping.

• Zhou Enlai had been a popular leader – thousands went to his funeral to lay wreaths and put up posters criticising Jiang Qing and Mao.

• On 5th April 1976 visitors to the square found that the wreaths had been removed. 10,000 people rioted to show their support for Zhou and Deng, followed by 200 + arrests.

Rise of Gang of Four• Jiang Qing and the Left blamed the riots on

Deng and removed him from the Party and Government.

• He was replaced by Hua Guofeng – an unknown politican – he was even nicknamed ‘the helicopter’ due to his rapid rise to power. He became Mao’s choice of successor.

• The Gang of Four now seemed in control of the CCP and the government. When Mao died in September 1976, the Gang of Four prepared to take full power.

The Fall of the Gang of Four• The Gang of Four was eventually out-

manoeuvred by the Politburo – the central decision making body of the CCP.

• The Politburo gave the post of Party Chairman following Mao’s death to Hua Guofeng, the new Prime Minister.

• Hua was now in a powerful position as he now controlled the Party and the armed forces. On 6th October 1976 he arrested the Gang of Four:• They had plotted against Hua.• They were hated by millions of Chinese.

The Fall of the Gang of Four• Their arrest was followed by another political

campaign by the government. In the press, on radio and in posters, the Gang of Four was criticised and attacked.

• Jiang Qing was even portrayed as a cruel, scheming pornographer. In Winter 1980-1981 the Gang of Four were put on trial. All four were found guilty and sentenced to prison.

• The factional rivalry from the Cultural Revolution was over. Deng Xiaoping was rehabilitated (again) in 1978 and would succeed Hua as Chairman and supreme leader in 1980.

Exam Question•Make a link or links between the key

features.

•Use connective words: this led to, as a result, moreover, furthermore, as a consequence, in addition.

First Reason Give the feature.Fully explain it.

Link Make a link with the second feature. this led to, as a result, moreover, in addition…

Second Reason Give the feature.Fully explain it.

Conclusion Sum up the two features stressing the links between them.

“Describe the key features of

the Gang of Four.” (7 marks)

Question B – Mark SchemeLevel Descriptor Mark

Level 1

Simple or generalised statements or key featuresStatements lack any supporting contextual knowledge or makes

generalisations

e.g. Tried to introduced free speech

1-21 mark for one simple

statement2 marks for two or

more

Level 2

Developed Statements of key featuresSupports their statement with relevant contextual knowledge

e.g. Mao tried to introduce free speech in order to direct criticism at the government and his rivals who he disagreed with. He worried

about a growing middle class.

3-53 marks for one

developed statement4-5 marks for two or

more

Level 3

Developed exposition of key featuresAn exposition of more than one factor supported by selected

knowledge.

e.g. Mao tried to introduce free speech as a way of directing criticism at his rivals in government like Zhou Enlai who he disagreed with about the future of economic development after the 1st Five Year Plan. Zhou

favoured planned growth led by government whilst Mao wanted growth to come from the mass mobilisation of the peasants because…

6-76 marks for two or

more factors7 marks for answers

which show links between factors

Homework1. Read pages 123-136, ‘The

aftermath of the Cultural Revolution’.

2. Complete the Revision Exercise table on page 126

3. Answer question 1-3 on page 136