In Chinese history, the chief members of the radical faction that played a key role in directing the
Cultural Revolution and tried to seize power after the death of the communist leader
Mao Zedong in 1976. It included his widow
Jiang Qing; the other members were three young Shanghai politicians: Zhang Chunqiao, Wang Hongwen, and Yao Wenyuan. The coup failed and the Gang of Four were arrested. Publicly tried in 1980, they were found guilty of treason.
© RM 2009. Helicon Publishing is division of RM.