Gang of Four

The Gang of Four was a political faction in China during the Cultural Revolution, consisting of four key leaders: Jiang Qing and three others. They rose to power after Mao Zedong’s death in 1976, shaping policies and cultural direction. Their influence was marked by promoting radical ideas, strict controls on culture and thought, and intensifying chaos within Chinese society. They were eventually arrested and blamed for many excesses of the Cultural Revolution, leading to a shift toward more moderate reforms. The Gang of Four's legacy remains significant in understanding China's political history and its struggles during that turbulent era.