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