Who were the key players in the power struggle post-Mao?

The key players in the power struggle post-Mao were Deng Xiaoping, Hua Guofeng, and the Gang of Four.

After Mao Zedong's death in 1976, a power struggle ensued within the Chinese Communist Party. The main contenders were Deng Xiaoping, Hua Guofeng, and the Gang of Four, which included Mao's last wife Jiang Qing and her close associates Zhang Chunqiao, Yao Wenyuan, and Wang Hongwen.

Hua Guofeng, Mao's chosen successor, initially held the most power. He was Chairman of the Communist Party and Premier of the People's Republic of China. However, his power was not absolute and he faced significant opposition from the Gang of Four, who held considerable influence within the party and were determined to continue Mao's revolutionary policies.

The Gang of Four were radical leftists who had risen to power during the Cultural Revolution. They were known for their ruthless purges of perceived enemies and their attempts to reshape Chinese society along radical lines. However, their extreme policies and tactics had made them many enemies within the party.

Deng Xiaoping, on the other hand, was a pragmatic reformer who had been purged twice during the Cultural Revolution but had managed to return to power each time. He was known for his economic reforms and his belief in "socialism with Chinese characteristics", which involved the introduction of market elements into the Chinese economy.

The power struggle came to a head in October 1976 when the Gang of Four were arrested in a coup led by Hua Guofeng. This marked the end of the Cultural Revolution and the beginning of a new era in Chinese politics. However, Hua's victory was short-lived. By 1978, Deng had managed to outmanoeuvre him and take control of the party.

Deng's rise to power marked a significant shift in Chinese politics. He implemented a series of economic reforms that transformed China into a global economic powerhouse. His pragmatic approach to socialism and his focus on economic development marked a clear break from the radical policies of the Gang of Four and the ideological purity of the Mao era.