Smashing the Gang of Four
Bloodless coup that ended the Cultural Revolution.
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, the government and the People's Liberation Army, to arrest and detain the Gang of Four as well as Mao Yuanxin, Mao Zedong's nephew. The event ended the Cultural Revolution launched by Mao and led to political purges of the Gang of Four and their followers.
- Location
- Zhongnanhai, Beijing
- Key Figures
- Hua Guofeng, Ye Jianying, Wang Dongxing, Jiang Qing, Zhang Chunqiao, Yao Wenyuan, Wang Hongwen, Mao Yuanxin
- Type
- Bloodless coup d'état
- Outcome
- Arrest of the Gang of Four; Hua Guofeng elected acting CCP chairman and acting CMC chairman
Lore & Background
After CCP Chairman Mao Zedong's death, a power vacuum emerged. The 'whatever faction' led by Hua Guofeng, the 'old guard faction' led by Ye Jianying, and the 'Cultural Revolution faction' led by Jiang Qing competed fiercely. The Gang of Four retained control over government media, publishing articles on 'principles laid down' by Mao. Urban militia units commanded by radical supporters were placed on heightened readiness. Wang Hongwen set up a 'Central Office Duty Room' to bypass the Politburo, but Hua learned of this and, after discussing with Ye, ordered it closed.
Reader's Guide
The smashing of the Gang of Four marked the end of the Cultural Revolution and a shift in Chinese Communist Party leadership. The arrest of Jiang Qing, Zhang Chunqiao, Yao Wenyuan, Wang Hongwen, and Mao Yuanxin resolved a power struggle that had intensified after Mao's death. Hua Guofeng's election as acting chairman of the CCP and Central Military Commission consolidated control by the coalition of Hua, Ye, and Wang Dongxing. The event led to political purges and criminal prosecutions of the Gang of Four and their followers, fundamentally altering China's political trajectory.
Did You Know?
- The coup is also called the Huairen Hall incident, the Huairen Hall coup, or the October 6 Coup.
- Mao Yuanxin, Mao Zedong's nephew, was arrested along with the Gang of Four.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the main figures in this event?
The driving forces are Hua Guofeng, Ye Jianying, and Wang Dongxing, who coordinated the arrests with support from other CCP and PLA figures. The targets are the four members of the Gang of Four—Jiang Qing, Zhang Chunqiao, Yao Wenyuan, and Wang Hongwen—plus Mao Yuanxin.
How does the story end?
All five targets are arrested and placed under detention without a single shot being fired, bringing the Cultural Revolution to a definitive close. In the aftermath, Hua Guofeng is elected acting chairman of both the CCP and the Central Military Commission.
Why is this event considered such a turning point?
It abruptly ended the decade-long Cultural Revolution that Mao Zedong had launched, stripping radical factions of their political grip. The arrests opened the door to subsequent purges and the gradual restructuring of Chinese politics.
Was there any violence or fighting involved?
No; the operation is specifically characterized as a bloodless coup, with every target detained peacefully within the Zhongnanhai compound. That complete absence of armed conflict is one of the defining traits that sets this event apart from other upheavals of the era.
More in Chinese History 1-24
Elsewhere in the Chinese History universe
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record