1977
The “Gang of Four” (四人帮) were the most powerful members of a radical political elite during the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976). The group included Jiang Qing (Mao Zedong’s fourth wife), Wang Hongwen, Zhang Cunqiao, and Yao Wenyuan. Prior to the Cultural Revolution, all of the members of the “Gang of Four” were low- or middle-ranking officials who lacked influence within the existing power structure in China. Members of the “Gang of Four” were united in their ability to manipulate the mass media, their desire to overthrow moderate government officials, and their good standing with Chairman Mao.
During the Cultural Revolution, the members of the “Gang of Four” accumulated significant power and filled high-ranking positions in both the government and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). At the height of the Revolution, the “Gang of Four” controlled the Red Guards, an organization of older teenagers and college-aged youth who were mobilized to carry out attacks on intellectuals and other disfavored groups during the Cultural Revolution. By manipulating and guiding the Red Guards, the “Gang of Four” controlled intellectual education, basic theories in social science, teacher-student relations and school discipline, and party politics regarding intellectuals.
Following Mao’s death in 1976, the “Gang of Four” fell out of power and were imprisoned and tried in 1980-1981 for their activities during the Cultural Revolution. They were all found guilty of their crimes. Initially, Jiang and Zang received death sentences; however, these sentences were reduced to life imprisonment in 1983. Wang was sentenced to life imprisonment, and Yao received 20 years.
All of the members of the “Gang of Four” have since died. Jiang Qing committed suicide in 1991, Wang Hongwen died of liver cancer in 1992, Yao Wenyuan died from diabetes in 2005, and Zhang Chunqiao died in 2005 from pancreatic cancer.
