Gang of Four

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Gang of Four

四人帮
Leader Jiang Qing
Zhang Chunqiao
Yao Wenyuan
Wang Hongwen
Dissolved 1976
Political orientation Marxism–Leninism
Mao Zedong Thought
Anti-revisionism
Political position Far-left
National affiliation CPC

The Gang of Four[a] were the political and ideological successors to Mao Zedong which was composed of four members of the Communist Party of ChinaJiang 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.[1]

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.

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.[1]

See also

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 "GANG OF FOUR". Dictionary of Revolutionary Marxism.

Notes

  1. Simplified Chinese: 四人帮