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China Gang of Four

Explore the rise and downfall of Jiang Qing, from her acting career to leading the Gang of Four in China's Cultural Revolution. Learn about her ruthless tactics and ultimate trial.

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China Gang of Four

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  1. China Gang of Four By: Kate Liming

  2. Background of Jiang Qing (Madame Mao) • Attended a drama and theater college to begin her acting career and joined a Communist Party. • In 1934, Jiang Qing was arrested and jailed for her political activities in Shanghai, but was released 3 months later. • Left the movie industry in 1937.

  3. Jiang Qing’s Rise to Power (Part 1) • Went to Chinese Communist headquarters to join the revolution and the war to resist the Japanese invasion. • In 1937 in Yan’an, she enrolled in the "Counter-Japanese Military and Political University" (Marxist–Leninist Institute) for study. • Shortly after arriving in Yan'an, Jiang became involved with Mao Zedong.

  4. Jiang Qing and Mao Zedong • Mao was granted a divorce and permitted to marry Jiang, but she was required to stay out of public politics for 30 years. • She married Mao in November 1938 and served as the inaugural "First Lady" of the People's Republic of China.

  5. Jiang Qing’s Rise to Power (Part 2) • She worked as Director of Film in the Central Propaganda Department, and as a member of the Ministry of Culture steering committee for the film industry. • Backed by her husband, she was appointed deputy director of the Central Cultural Revolution Group in 1966 and emerged as a serious political figure in the summer of that year.

  6. Background of the Group • A political faction group of 4 Chinese Communist leaders. • Mao placed his wife, Jiang Qing, in charge of the country’s cultural system. • Yao and Wang were party leaders in Shanghai who had played leading roles in securing that city for Mao during the Cultural Revolution.

  7. The Leaders and Faces of the China Gang

  8. Significance • The goal of the Gang of Four was to reinstate the policies instituted by the Chinese Communist Party. • People suffered a wide range of abuses including public humiliation, torture, harassment, and seizure of property. • The Gang of Four was the first real group that Jiang Qing was a part of where she had political control.

  9. Role in the Cultural Revolution • As the Cultural Revolution intensified, the members of the Gang of Four advanced to high positions in the government and the CCP. • Manipulating the youthful Red Guards, the Gang of Four controlled four areas: • intellectual education • basic theories in social sciences • teacher-student relations and school discipline • party policies regarding intellectuals

  10. Jiang Qing • She developed severe hypochondriasis and erratic nerves. • She required two tranquilizers over the course of a day and three sleeping pills to fall asleep. • She ordered house servants to cut down on noise by removing their shoes and preventing clothes from rustling. • Mild temperature differences bothered her; thermostats were always set to 21.5 °C (70.7 °F) in winter and 26 °C (78.8 °F) in summer.

  11. Jiang Qing • Jiang Qing incited radical youths organized as Red Guards against other senior political leaders and government officials, including Liu Shaoqi, the President at the time, and Deng Xiaoping, the Deputy Premier. • Internally divided into factions both to the "left" and "right" of Jiang Qing and Mao, not all Red Guards were friendly to Jiang Qing.

  12. Jiang Qing • Jiang's rivalry with, and personal dislike of, Zhou Enlai, the first Premier of the PRC,led Jiang to hurt Zhou where he was most vulnerable. In 1968 Jiang had Zhou's adopted son and daughter tortured and murdered by Maoist Red Guards. • Jiang made sure that the body of Zhou’s daughter was cremated and disposed of so that no autopsy could be performed, and so that her family could not have her ashes.

  13. Jiang Qing • In 1973 and 1974, Jiang directed the "Criticize Lin, Criticize Confucius" campaign against premier Zhou because Zhou was viewed as one of Jiang's primary political opponents. • In 1975, Jiang initiated a campaign named "Criticizing Song Jiang, Evaluating the Water Margin", which encouraged the use of Zhou as an example of a political loser. • After Zhou Enlai died in 1976, Jiang initiated the "Five Nos" campaign in order to discourage and prohibit any public mourning for Zhou.

  14. Downfall • Mao in his last year turned against Jiang Qing and her associates. • Ye Jianying, a renowned general, met in private with Hua Guofeng and Wang Dongxing, commander of a secret service-like organization. They determined that Jiang Qing and her associates must be removed by force in order to restore stability.

  15. Trial • In 1981, the four removed leaders were subjected to a show trial and convicted of anti-party activities. • Near the end of Mao's life, a power struggle occurred between the Gang of Four and the alliance of Deng Xiaoping, Zhou Enlai, and Ye Jianying.

  16. Trial Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unuGt6Bq2io&list=PL3kXx254C7maGVKETDMnv-4_zIRPVUdlx

  17. Aftermath • After the fall of the Gang of Four, Hua Guofeng, Marshall Ye Jianying, Chen Yun, And Li Xiannian formed the next core leadership. • Jiang Qing committed suicide on May 14, 1991, aged 77, by hanging herself in a bathroom of her hospital.

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