Mao's legacy: the power struggle after Mao’s death; Hua Guofeng and Deng…

The idea

Mao’s death in September 1976 triggered a succession crisis. Hua Guofeng, Mao’s chosen successor, moved against the Gang of Four in October 1976, arresting its leading members and ending their radical influence. Hua promoted the ‘Two Whatevers’, insisting on continuing Mao’s policies, but Deng Xiaoping, purged twice, returned to power in 1977. By 1978, Deng had outmanoeuvred Hua at the Third Plenum, shifting the Party’s focus to economic modernisation. Deng’s ‘new-style leadership’ replaced Maoist mass campaigns with collective decision-making and pragmatic governance, though the Party retained a monopoly on power. This power struggle determined China’s post-Mao direction, enabling the reforms that followed.

What earns the marks

• Explains that Mao’s death in September 1976 created a power vacuum and triggered a struggle among rival factions.
• Describes the defeat of the Gang of Four in October 1976, including the arrest of its leading members and the end of their radical influence.
• Analyses the roles of Hua Guofeng and Deng Xiaoping, including Hua’s ‘Two Whatevers’ and Deng’s return to power in 1977.
• Assesses how Deng outmanoeuvred Hua by 1978, for example at the Third Plenum, and how this led to a new-style leadership focused on economic modernisation.

Common mistakes and how to put them right

• Stating that the Gang of Four was defeated before Mao’s death.

  Put it right: Mao died in September 1976; the Gang was arrested in October 1976.

• Claiming Hua Guofeng remained paramount leader after 1978.

  Put it right: Deng Xiaoping became the paramount leader, though Hua retained some titles until 1981.

• Describing the new-style leadership as introducing multi-party democracy.

  Put it right: It replaced Maoist mass campaigns with collective decision-making and pragmatic governance, but the Communist Party retained its monopoly on power.

Exam tips

• Establish a clear chronological framework: Mao’s death (September 1976), the arrest of the Gang of Four (October 1976), Deng’s return (1977), and the Third Plenum (December 1978).
• Compare the approaches of Hua Guofeng and Deng Xiaoping, using specific policies such as the ‘Two Whatevers’ and the ‘Four Modernisations’ to illustrate the shift.
• When discussing ‘new-style leadership’, explain how it differed from Mao’s rule, for example in its emphasis on collective decision-making and economic pragmatism.