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

DEATH OF MAO AND THE END OF THE CULTURAL REVOLUTION

• Significance
  • 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

ROLE OF HUA GUOFENG IN ARREST OF GANG OF FOUR

• 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