History of the People's Republic of China

From a political point of view, the People's Republic of China had, for several decades, been known as the political entity that is often synonymous with Mainland China. Historically, the same name but implies the most recent of historical eras in Chinese history that was preceded by thousands of years of imperial dynasties and the Republic. The era officially began on China proper on October 1st, 1949, when, after a near complete victory in the Chinese Civil War, Mao Zedong proclaimed the People's Republic of China on top of Tiananmen. The era is what is now known as the History of the People's Republic of China. This span of history thus lasts between 1949 and the present, and included decades of political struggle, economic and social reform, as well as many movements that left a permanent mark both inside China and on a much larger, international scale.

Power Struggles after Mao's Death

"The Great Helmsman" was one of the many titles and styles Mao Zedong had gained as a result of the Cultural Revolution. His existence was more than symbolic, and therefore so would be his death. The founder of the People's Republic of China died on September 9, 1976 in Beijing, some say to complications of Parkinson's Disease. For more than a week, all walks of life in the country had seemed to pause and become involved only in a state of mourning. Having been the head of the Communist Party of China for more than fourty years, and the head of state for the newly born People's Republic for twenty-seven, Mao had attempted to train three successors, Liu Shaoqi, Lin Biao, and Wang Hongwen, two of which he himself outlived. Like the former two, Mao also had suspicion in Wang, and in his older years, tended to trust no one. Wang's association with the Gang of Four further caused distrust.

Related Topics:
September 9 - 1976 - Parkinson's Disease - Communist Party of China - Gang of Four

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Hua Guofeng, then Minister of Public Security, having succeeded Zhou Enlai in January as Premier, had now taken on the offices as head of both the CPC and the military. Hua's justification was believed to have come from a note of Mao's handwriting that said "When you do things, I'm at ease". Compared to the three successors designated before him, Hua had the shortest time as heir apparent, and would have a very brief time as the No.1 figure in China as well. His term in office was dominated by power struggle between three factions, being the Gang of Four, himself, and Deng Xiaoping. In October, with advice and from former Minister of Defence Ye Jianying, a conspiracy of generals and party elders moved to remove the Gang of Four from any position of power. Jiang Qing and her partners were accused of various crimes, including counterrevolutionary activity, and was to be tried in the coming years. Eventually they would each be either given a long term in jail, or in Jiang Qing's case, sentenced to life in prison.

Related Topics:
Hua Guofeng - Military - Deng Xiaoping - Ye Jianying

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