Stage 2: From Lin Biao to the Gang of Four

• 1.The rise of Lin Biao

  • In October 1968, Liu Shaoqi was criticized as a 'traitor'.
  • He was revoked from all his duties and expelled from the party permanently.
  • In April 1969, the party constitution was rewritten to name Lin Biao as Mao's statutory successor.
  • Those leaders supporting Liu and Deng were criticized and purged.
• 2.Failure of Lin Biao's coup

  • Lin Biao became increasingly powerful after being named as Mao's statutory successor.
  • In order to take over Mao's position earlier, he wanted to assassinate Mao, but his coup failed and he was killed in a plane crash in September 1971.
  • After Lin's death, Zhou Enlai took charge of the daily business of the CPC Central Committee.
  • Deng rehabilitated as vice premier in 1973.
  • Jiang Qing, Zhang Chunqiao, Yao Wenyuan and Wang Hongwen formed the Gang of Four and wanted to seize power.