Smashing the Gang of Four
Bloodless coup that ended the Cultural Revolution.
Premier Hua Guofeng joined forces with Central Military Commission Vice Chairmen Ye Jianying and Wang Dongxing, together with other important figures in the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), the government and the People's Liberation Army (PLA), to arrest and detain the Gang of Four as well as Mao Yuanxin, Mao Zedong's nephew who acted as his liaison to the Central Committee. In the early morning of the next day, Hua Guofeng was elected as acting chairman of the Chinese Communist Party and acting chairman of the Central Military Commission at a secret enlarged meeting of the Politburo, ending the Cultural Revolution launched by Mao.
- Location
- Zhongnanhai, Beijing
- Key Figures
- Hua Guofeng, Ye Jianying, Wang Dongxing
- Opponents
- Gang of Four (Jiang Qing, Zhang Chunqiao, Yao Wenyuan, Wang Hongwen) and Mao Yuanxin
- Nature
- Bloodless coup d'état
- Outcome
- Arrest of the Gang of Four; Hua Guofeng elected acting CCP chairman
Lore & Background
The 'whatever faction' led by Hua Guofeng, the 'old guard faction' led by Ye Jianying, and the 'Cultural Revolution faction' led by Jiang Qing competed fiercely. The Gang of Four retained control over government media, publishing articles on 'principles laid down' by Mao, though their canonical status is disputed. Urban militia units commanded by radical supporters were placed on heightened readiness. Wang Hongwen set up a 'Central Office Duty Room' in Zhongnanhai on 11 September, attempting to bypass the Politburo, but Hua Guofeng, alerted by Hunan Party Second Secretary Zhang Pinghua, ordered it closed.
Reader's Guide
The smashing of the Gang of Four marked the end of the Cultural Revolution and a decisive shift in CCP leadership. The Gang of Four and their followers were later subjected to political purges, with some being criminally prosecuted. This event resolved the power struggle following Mao's death, allowing Hua Guofeng to assume acting chairmanship and consolidate control, though the 'principles laid down' by Mao remained a point of dispute. The coup's bloodless nature and its role in ending a decade of political turmoil underscore its significance in modern Chinese history.
Did You Know?
- The coup is also called the Huairen Hall incident, the Huairen Hall coup, or the October 6 Coup.
- Mao Yuanxin, Mao Zedong's nephew and liaison to the Central Committee, was also arrested.
- The Gang of Four's residences were heavily guarded, with each having more than two layers of security.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who led the operation to arrest the Gang of Four?
Premier Hua Guofeng coordinated the move alongside PLA leaders Ye Jianying and Wang Dongxing, with support from other senior party and military figures. They moved in the early morning hours to detain the targets without any armed confrontation.
Who were the members of the Gang of Four?
The group consisted of Jiang Qing (Mao Zedong's wife), Zhang Chunqiao, Yao Wenyuan, and Wang Hongwen. Mao Yuanxin, Mao's nephew who served as his liaison to the Central Committee, was also arrested in the same operation.
Why is the Smashing of the Gang of Four historically significant?
It marked the definitive end of the Cultural Revolution and the radical political line that had dominated China for a decade. In its aftermath, Hua Guofeng was elevated to acting chairman of the CCP, signaling a shift in the party's leadership direction.
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