DEATH OF MAO AND THE END OF THE CULTURAL REVOLUTION/ROLE OF HUA GUOFENG IN ARREST OF GANG OF FOUR

Significance of Mao’s death

Significance of Mao’s death

• Death signified end of cultural revolution and Mao’s 28 year reign

• Millions packed Tiananmen square for his funeral as well as all Chinese leadership

Succession

• Doesn’t trust the Gang of Four and so establishes Hua Guofeng, a little-known official, as his successor

• Hua has good relationship with army which prevents Gang of Four from seizing power

Power Struggle

• Conflict arose between Hua and the Gang of Four over succession

• Hua already had military backing, appealed to politicians for support

• Gang of Four had only had backing from Shanghai and Mao so they were now weak

Arrest

• Hua arrests all of the Gang of Four in October 1976

• Citizens support the arrest and Hua officially has power