Smashing the Gang of Four

Quick Facts: Who was Smashing the Gang of Four?

Subject:

Smashing the Gang of Four

Known for:

The 1976 coup that ended the Cultural Revolution and detained the Gang of Four.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Smashing of the Gang of Four (also known as the Huairen Hall incident, the Huairen Hall coup, or the October 6 Coup) was a bloodless coup d'état in Zhongnanhai, Beijing, on 6 October 1976, in which 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. Later, the Gang of Four and their followers were subjected to political purges, with some being criminally prosecuted. After CCP Chairman Mao Zedong's death, a power vacuum emerged within the Chinese Communist Party. The "whatever faction" represented by Hua Guofeng, Wang Dongxing, Chen Xilian, Ji Dengkui and Wu De, the "old guard faction" represented by Ye Jianying and Li Xiannian, and the "Cultural Revolution faction" represented by Jiang Qing, Zhang Chunqiao, Yao Wenyuan, Wang Hongwen, and Mao Yuanxin had huge differences in policy lines, and competed in a fierce internal struggle.

Career & Major Achievements

On September 9, Chairman Mao died. For the next few weeks the Gang of Four retained control over the government media, and many articles appeared on the theme of "principles laid down" (or "established") by Mao near the end of his life. (The words "principles laid down" were themselves supposedly a quotation from Mao, but their canonical status is in dispute.) Urban militia units commanded by supporters of the radical group were placed on a heightened state of readiness. On 10 September 1976, the day after Mao Zedong's death, Wang Hongwen instructed his staff member Mi Shiqi (Deputy Head of the Documentation Group of the Secretariat) to notify all provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions in the name of the CCP General Office that if any major problems occurred, they should be reported in a timely manner and if important problems were difficult to resolve, they should be consulted; all reports and requests for instructions were to be made directly to Mi Shiqi. On September 11, Wang Hongwen bypassed the Politburo of the CCP Central Committee and set up a "Central Office Duty Room" in Zhongnanhai.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

He also notified all parts of China in the name of the CCP Central Office that major issues should be reported to the designated duty personnel; "he attempted to cut off the connection between the CCP Central Committee and Hua Guofeng and the provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions, so that they could issue orders and command the whole country". Hua learned about this from a phone call from Hunan Party Second Secretary Zhang Pinghua. After discussing with Ye Jianying, they decided to warn Wang Hongwen in the name of the Politburo to immediately close the "Central Office Duty Room" that he had set up without authorization, and to notify all parts of the country in the name of the Central Committee that major issues should be reported to Hua. After making an appointment by phone in advance, Hua went to Li Xiannian's temporary residence in No. 9 Courtyard with the pretext of going to the hospital for a physical examination. He talked with Li for less than ten minutes, saying: "The struggle with the Gang of Four is inevitable, and it is time to resolve it." Hua asked Li to meet with Ye on his behalf to seek's opinion on how to resolve the Gang of Four issue .

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1976: 1976 Milestone — The Smashing of the Gang of Four (also known as the Huairen Hall incident, the Huairen Hall coup, or the October 6 Coup) was a bloodless coup d'état in Zhongnanhai, Beijing, on 6 October 1976, in which 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.

Notable Quotes by Smashing the Gang of Four

“The struggle with the Gang of Four is inevitable, and it is time to resolve it.”

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Smashing the Gang of Four

True or False: “Did Hua Guofeng immediately assume the role of CCP Chairman after Mao Zedong's death?”

Answer (FALSE ❌): Hua Guofeng was elected as acting chairman at a secret enlarged meeting of the Politburo on the day *after* the coup.

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