Gang of Four

The Gang of Four were the political and ideological successors to Mao Zedong which was composed of four members of the Communist Party of China — Jiang Qing (Mao's wife and its leading figure), Zhang Chunqiao, Yao Wenyuan, and Wang Hongwen. The Gang of Four sought to preserve the socialist road established by Mao and continue the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution.

During the October 6 Coup in 1976, the Gang of Four were overthrown and arrested in a military putsch and the capitalist roaders attained leadership of the Communist Party, with Hua Guofeng becoming the paramount leader. Hua's leadership would directly oversee the rehabilitation and rise to power of Deng Xiaoping, and capitalism would be restored by 1978.

Jiang Qing

Zhang Chunqiao

Yao Wenyuan

Etymology

The term "Gang of Four" comes from a friendly warning from Mao Zedong to not form “into a gang of four” (that is, to avoid sectarianism and foster wider alliances within the Party). The capitalist roaders wrongfully took this warning as a justification to arrest the Gang of Four.

See also

• Anti-Party Group