OCR Specification focus:
‘Lin Biao, Chen Boda, Jiang Qing and the Gang of Four drove mobilisation.’
The Cultural Revolution’s radical phase depended on influential figures like Lin Biao, Chen Boda, Jiang Qing, and the Gang of Four, whose actions transformed Mao’s political and social agenda.
Lin Biao: Mao’s Designated Successor and Architect of Radicalisation
Rise to Prominence and Relationship with Mao
Lin Biao was a key military leader and one of Mao Zedong’s most trusted allies during the Cultural Revolution (1966–1976). After playing a decisive role in the Chinese Civil War (1946–1949) and the Korean War (1950–1953), Lin became Minister of Defence in 1959, succeeding Peng Dehuai after Peng criticised the disastrous Great Leap Forward (1958–1962).
Lin’s loyalty to Mao and his skill in political manoeuvring allowed him to rise rapidly within the Communist Party of China (CPC).
He was instrumental in the creation and promotion of Mao’s cult of personality, particularly through the “Little Red Book” – a compilation of Mao’s quotations distributed widely among the masses and the military.
Lin emphasised “People’s War” strategies and the importance of political indoctrination within the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
Cult of Personality: The deliberate creation of an idealised, heroic public image of a leader, often through propaganda and mass mobilisation, to secure political legitimacy and authority.
Role in the Cultural Revolution
Lin was pivotal in mobilising the PLA to support the Red Guards, ensuring Mao’s radical policies were enforced and opponents were removed.
Mao Zedong and Lin Biao during the May Day parade of 1967 in Beijing. The image shows Lin’s proximity to Mao and his role in publicly demonstrating revolutionary authority. Mao’s presence adds broader context beyond the specific syllabus focus on Lin. Source
He supported the purge of “capitalist roaders” like Liu Shaoqi and Deng Xiaoping.
Lin aligned military loyalty with Maoist ideology, embedding Maoist rhetoric throughout army training and operations.
His influence extended beyond the military, as he became a figurehead of revolutionary zeal.
Downfall and Death
Lin’s power and popularity grew to levels Mao considered threatening. Accusations arose of Lin plotting a coup d’état against Mao. In 1971, he died in a mysterious plane crash in Mongolia while allegedly fleeing to the Soviet Union.
Lin’s death discredited the military’s political role and led to a reassertion of civilian Party control.
Official narratives branded him a “traitor”, reshaping his image from loyal lieutenant to dangerous conspirator.
Chen Boda: Ideologue of the Cultural Revolution
Mao’s Chief Theorist
Chen Boda was Mao’s principal political theorist and played a crucial role in shaping the ideological basis of the Cultural Revolution.
A former journalist and academic, Chen became Mao’s chief propagandist and was instrumental in constructing Mao Zedong Thought.
As head of the Cultural Revolution Group (CRG) from 1966, he translated Mao’s political vision into ideological campaigns.
Chen Boda pictured alongside Mao Zedong, Lin Biao and Zhou Enlai in 1966. This photograph situates Chen within the top leadership driving the ideological direction of the Cultural Revolution. The inclusion of other senior leaders adds context beyond Chen’s individual role. Source
Mao Zedong Thought: The adaptation of Marxism-Leninism to Chinese conditions under Mao, emphasising class struggle, continuous revolution, and mass mobilisation.
Influence and Decline
Chen’s writings and speeches fuelled the fervour of the Red Guards, encouraging attacks on “bourgeois” elements.
He played a key role in drafting the Party Constitution of 1969, which enshrined Mao’s supremacy and Lin Biao as successor.
However, by 1970, Chen’s influence waned. Mao accused him of “dogmatism” and factionalism, leading to his removal from the CRG and later from public life.
Jiang Qing: Cultural Radicalism and Mao’s Proxy
Emergence as a Political Force
Jiang Qing, Mao’s fourth wife, emerged as a central figure in the cultural and ideological dimensions of the Cultural Revolution. Initially an actress, she became politically active in the 1960s, positioning herself as a guardian of Maoist orthodoxy.
Mao relied on Jiang to reshape Chinese culture in revolutionary terms, particularly in theatre, film, and literature.
Jiang denounced “feudal” and “bourgeois” influences in the arts and pushed for revolutionary model operas (yangbanxi) that glorified proletarian heroes.
Political Role and Rivalries
Jiang used her position to eliminate political rivals and extend Maoist ideology into everyday life.
She became a de facto cultural commissar, overseeing purges within the cultural establishment and academia.
Jiang was instrumental in sustaining the radical atmosphere of the revolution even as Mao grew more cautious.
Her political fortunes declined after Mao’s death in 1976. Without his protection, she was arrested and later blamed for many of the excesses of the Cultural Revolution.
The Gang of Four: Guardians of Radicalism
Composition and Influence
The Gang of Four was a political faction comprising Jiang Qing, Zhang Chunqiao, Yao Wenyuan, and Wang Hongwen. They emerged as the dominant radical group by 1969, consolidating control over propaganda, cultural policy, and aspects of economic and political decision-making.
They pushed for continued class struggle and ideological purity, often opposing moderate elements seeking stability.
Their power base lay in Shanghai, a centre of radical activism, and they used the media to shape public opinion and vilify enemies.
Gang of Four: A radical political faction that wielded significant influence during the later Cultural Revolution, promoting ideological extremism and opposing moderation within the Communist Party.
Political Struggles and Downfall
The Gang of Four faced mounting opposition from more pragmatic leaders such as Zhou Enlai and later Deng Xiaoping, who sought to restore order and economic development.
After Mao’s death in September 1976, they attempted to maintain their revolutionary agenda but lacked Mao’s authority.
In October 1976, they were arrested by forces loyal to Hua Guofeng and the moderate leadership. Their fall marked the end of the Cultural Revolution and a shift towards reform and pragmatism.
Interactions and Legacy of the Key Figures
The interplay among Lin Biao, Chen Boda, Jiang Qing, and the Gang of Four defined the trajectory of the Cultural Revolution:
Lin’s military authority and promotion of Mao’s cult sustained the early radical phase.
Chen’s ideological contributions provided the intellectual justification for Maoist policies.
Jiang Qing and the Gang of Four ensured the revolution’s cultural and political radicalism persisted beyond its initial momentum.
Their eventual purges reflected Mao’s strategy of balancing factions to maintain personal control and the volatility of revolutionary politics. The downfall of Lin in 1971 and the Gang of Four in 1976 symbolised the collapse of radical Maoism, paving the way for Deng Xiaoping’s pragmatic reforms and a new era in Chinese governance.
FAQ
Lin Biao and Mao shared a close political alliance, built on Lin’s unwavering loyalty and Mao’s trust in his military expertise. Lin’s promotion of Mao’s image through the Little Red Book and his ideological influence over the PLA strengthened Mao’s control during the Cultural Revolution.
However, Mao grew increasingly suspicious of Lin’s growing power and popularity after 1969. Tensions over succession and accusations of a coup attempt ultimately led to Lin’s downfall and mysterious death in 1971, which Mao used to reinforce his authority and discredit military interference in politics.
Chen Boda’s primary contribution was translating Mao’s revolutionary ideas into clear ideological campaigns. As Mao’s chief theorist, he simplified Marxist-Leninist principles for Chinese conditions and promoted continuous revolution through class struggle.
He oversaw propaganda materials, speeches, and Party documents that reinforced Maoist ideology. Chen’s work framed the Cultural Revolution as a moral and ideological battle, shaping public perception of loyalty and betrayal. Even after his fall in 1970, the ideological foundations he helped build remained central to Maoist discourse.
Jiang Qing’s background in theatre gave her unique authority over cultural policy. She believed art must serve politics, and she spearheaded campaigns to purge “bourgeois” and “feudal” influences from Chinese cultural life.
Her initiatives included:
Commissioning yangbanxi (revolutionary model operas) that glorified class struggle and proletarian heroes.
Censoring traditional plays and literature that conflicted with Maoist ideology.
Promoting gender equality and revolutionary values through artistic expression.
These measures transformed cultural life into a vehicle for Maoist propaganda, deeply influencing public consciousness.
The Gang of Four controlled key aspects of propaganda, cultural production, and media to shape public opinion and sustain radical policies. They used newspapers, radio, and theatre to glorify Maoist thought and vilify political rivals.
They also:
Directed purges within the Party and cultural institutions.
Encouraged mass criticism campaigns and public denunciations.
Positioned themselves as defenders of Mao’s legacy after his death.
Their control of the ideological apparatus enabled them to challenge moderate leadership until their arrest in 1976, which marked a decisive turn towards pragmatism.
The arrest of the Gang of Four in October 1976 was portrayed as a decisive break with the excesses of the Cultural Revolution. They were blamed for the chaos, violence, and cultural destruction, allowing the new leadership to distance itself from the most radical policies without directly criticising Mao.
This shift paved the way for Deng Xiaoping’s rise and the introduction of economic and political reforms. It also marked the end of large-scale mass campaigns, signalling a move towards stability and a more pragmatic governance model.
Practice Questions
Question 1 (3 marks):
Identify three key roles played by Lin Biao during the Cultural Revolution.
Mark Scheme:
Award 1 mark for each correct point identified, up to a maximum of 3 marks.
Possible answers include:
Promoted Mao’s cult of personality through the distribution of the “Little Red Book.” (1)
Mobilised the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to support the Red Guards and enforce Mao’s policies. (1)
Served as Mao’s designated successor and Vice-Chairman of the Communist Party. (1)
Ensured political indoctrination within the PLA, embedding Maoist ideology in military practice. (1)
Question 2 (6 marks):
Explain how Jiang Qing and the Gang of Four influenced the course of the Cultural Revolution.
Mark Scheme:
Award marks according to the following levels:
Level 1 (1–2 marks): Basic description with limited detail. May mention Jiang Qing’s involvement in culture or name the Gang of Four but lacks explanation.
Example: “Jiang Qing changed Chinese culture and the Gang of Four were radicals during the Cultural Revolution.” (1–2)
Level 2 (3–4 marks): Some explanation of their influence, including specific actions or policies, but lacking depth or range.
Example: “Jiang Qing promoted revolutionary model operas and attacked ‘bourgeois’ culture. The Gang of Four pushed for ideological purity and opposed moderates.” (3–4)
Level 3 (5–6 marks): Detailed and developed explanation showing clear understanding of how they shaped the Cultural Revolution’s direction. May refer to their role in propaganda, purges, and political struggles.
Example: “Jiang Qing reshaped China’s cultural landscape by promoting revolutionary model operas and removing ‘feudal’ influences. She used her position to eliminate rivals and sustain radical policies. The Gang of Four consolidated power in Shanghai, controlled propaganda, and pushed for continued class struggle. Their fall after Mao’s death marked the end of the radical phase.” (5–6)
