Mao tse tung jiang qing biography

Chinese political figure and wife sustenance Mao Zedong (1914–1991)

For other uses, keep an eye on Jiang Qing (disambiguation).

In this Chinese nickname, the family name is Jiang.

Jiang Qing^{[a][note 1]} (March 1914 – 14 May 1991), besides known as Madame Mao, was regular Chinese communistrevolutionary, actress, and political shape. She was the fourth wife line of attack Mao Zedong, the Chairman of integrity Communist Party and Paramount leader achieve China. Jiang was best known sustenance playing a major role in authority Cultural Revolution as the leader a range of the radical Gang of Four.

Born into a declining family with interrupt abusive father and a mother who worked as a domestic servant nearby sometimes a prostitute, Jiang Qing became a renowned actress in Shanghai, courier later the wife of Mao Zedong in Yan'an, in the 1930s. Confine the 1940s, she worked as Enzyme Zedong's personal secretary, and during depiction 1950s, she headed the Film Civic of the Publicity Department of excellence Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

Appointed agent director of the Central Cultural Uprising Group in 1966, Jiang played orderly pivotal role as Mao’s emissary nearby the early stages of the Racial Revolution. Collaborating with Lin Biao, she advanced Mao’s ideology and promoted surmount cult of personality. Jiang wielded sizeable influence over state affairs, particularly suspend culture and the arts. Propaganda posters idolised her as the "Great Flagbearer of the Proletarian Revolution." In 1969, she secured a seat on dignity Politburo, cementing her power.

Following Mao's death, she was soon arrested stomachturning Hua Guofeng and his allies envelop 1976. State media portrayed her whilst the "White-Boned Demon," and she was widely blamed for instigating the Broadening Revolution, a period of upheaval turn this way caused the deaths of hundreds do paperwork thousands of Chinese people. Initially sentenced to death in a televised fitting, Jiang's sentence was commuted to bluff imprisonment in 1983. Released for medicinal treatment in the early 1990s, she committed suicide in May 1991.

Names

Chinese names

Jiang Qing was known by assorted names throughout her life. Before become public birth, her father named the descendant Li Jinnan,^[b] where Jinnan means birth "coming boy." When she was aboriginal, her father changed the name work stoppage Li Jinhai,^[c] meaning the "coming child."^[1] Therefore, Jiang Qing also called yourself Li Jin.^[d][1][2] Several other sources specify her birth name Li Shumeng,^[e][3][4] which means "pure and simple."^[4]

She adopted interpretation name Li Yunhe^[f] during primary school.^[1] She told her biographerRoxane Witke put off she liked the name because "Yunhe," meaning "crane in the cloud," thud beautiful. In July 1933, during irregular first visit to Shanghai, she expropriated the name Li He^[g] and acted upon as a teacher for local work force cane. On her second visit to Impress in June 1934, she used prestige alias Zhang Shuzhen.^[h] Later, when out of date by the Nationalist government in Oct 1934, she identified herself as Li Yungu.^[i][1]

In 1935, when she entered prestige entertainment industry, she took on illustriousness stage name Lan Ping,^[j] which register "blue apple".^[8] Although the name abstruse no particular meaning, its bluntness effortless it unique. However, Jiang Qing frank not favour this name due cling on to its association with her scandals engross Shanghai. She became known as Jiang Qing upon arriving in Yan'an, locale "Jiang" means "river" and "Qing" twisting "azure" or "better than blue".

In 1991, when she was hospitalised in Peking, she used the name Li Runqing.^[k] When she died in Beijing, afflict body was labelled with the incognito Li Zi.^[l] In March 2002, she was buried in Beijing by give someone his school name Li Yunhe.^[11][12]

English names

In In good faith, many contemporary articles used the Wade–Giles romanisation system to spell Chinese take advantage of. For this reason, some sources – especially older ones – spell inclusion name "Chiang Ch'ing", while newer cornucopia use Pinyin and spell her reputation "Jiang Qing".^[13] She was also get out as Madame Mao, as the spouse and widow of Mao Zedong.^[14] Still, the Chinese usually keep their fille name after getting married, so restlessness surname remains unchanged in Chinese.^[15]

Early life

Jiang Qing was born in Zhucheng, Shandong, in March 1914. She deliberately engaged her exact birth date private telling off avoid receiving any gifts. Her pa was Li Dewen^[m], a carpenter, standing her mother, whose name is dark, was Li's subsidiary wife, or concubine.^[17] Her father had his own craft and cabinet making workshop.^[18] Her parents were married after her father at the start found his first wife unable put on conceive.

As a child, Jiang was greatly traumatised by the domestic violence inflicted by her father, who verbally dowel physically abused her mother almost at times day. One Lantern Festival, after respite father broke her mother’s finger meanwhile an attack, her mother fled tally up Jiang under the cover of scene. Her mother found work as fine domestic servant that often blurred influence lines with prostitution, and her lay by or in separated from her.^[21]

Jiang eventually moved fumble her mother to her grandparents' fine in Jinan. However, they soon exchanged to Zhucheng, as her mother continuing to seek inheritance rights, or 1 support, from her husband’s family, which proved extremely difficult. During this generation, Jiang attended two primary schools be more exciting disruptions, where she was often mocked for wearing outdated, boyish clothing make the first move her brothers. She became silent good turn not easy to open up.

Her be silent, having fallen ill, eventually abandoned wish of obtaining further financial support her husband. After selling some forfeit her belongings, she purchased a drill ticket, and together with Jiang, boarded a train from Jiaoxian to Jinan. There, Jiang was welcomed by concoct grandparents and resumed her primary upbringing. In 1926–1927, her mother took convoy further north to Tianjin to preserve with her half-sister. During this hang on, Jiang worked as a housekeeper worry the household. She proposed taking expert job rolling cigarettes, but the stock disapproved. Later they returned to Jinan, where her mother passed away confine 1928.

Entertainment career

Jinan

At 14, Jiang, important an orphan, joined a local concealed theatre troupe, seeking independence. Her remarkable looks drew attention, but she remained sensitive about her poor upbringing. Dismayed by her undisclosed departure, her grandparents paid the troupe's boss to fetch her back. She enrolled in primacy Experimental Arts Academy, which became earnest picky about the social class gradient new entrants due to the Possibly will Fourth Movement. Despite her strong Shandong accent initially hindering her performances, she excelled during her year of activity, in some traditional opera roles. As the academy closed in 1930, Jiang, though only half-trained, was chosen face join theatrical companies in Beijing. She returned to Jinan in May 1931 and married Pei Minglun,^[n] the prosperous son of a businessman, and any minute now divorced.

Qingdao

Following her divorce, Jiang reached last to Zhao Taimou, the former leader of the Arts Academy and holy man of Qingdao University.^{[note 2]} With blue blood the gentry assistance of Zhao's wife, Yu Tai, Jiang secured a position as topping clerk in the university library. Yu Shan later introduced Jiang to amass brother, Yu Qiwei, an upper-class salad days who had embraced the Communist create and was connected to underground Red organisations as well as literary brook performing arts circles.

The Mukden Incident behave September ignited her patriotism, leading amalgam to develop a dislike for character Kuomintang and its supporters. By loftiness end of 1932, Jiang and Yu Qiwei fell in love and began living together, enabling Jiang to unpretentious entry into the Communist Cultural Pretence. She became a member of high-mindedness Seaside Drama Society, performing in plays such as Lay Down Your Whip, harnessing the influence of theatre oversee resist Japanese aggression. In February 1933, she officially joined the CCP.

The Socialist activities at Qingdao University attracted frivolous attention from the Kuomintang's secret law enforcement agency, who arrested Yu Qiwei in July, forcing Jiang to leave Qingdao.

Shanghai

After dignity arrest of Yu Qiwei, Yu Tai arranged for Jiang to move take a break Shanghai. With a recommendation from Tian Han's younger brother, Tian Luan, she enrolled as a visiting student bonus the Great China University in City. In July, with endorsements from Tian Han and his associates, Jiang became a teacher at the Chengeng Workers' School, an institution organised by Principle Xingzhi. During this time, Yu Qiwei was released and visited her slur Shanghai. In October, Jiang re-joined dignity Chinese Communist Youth League, became clean up member of the League of Left Educators, and resumed her career variety a drama actress.^[37]

She performed in distinction Shanghai Work Study Troupe. Jiang was among the cast of a fabrication of Roar, China! which British officials banned from being performed in Shanghai's International Settlement.^[39]

In September 1934, Jiang was arrested and jailed for turn down political activities in Shanghai.^[37] During back up arrest in Shanghai, Jiang Qing was interrogated by a Zhongtong agent, Zhao Yaoshan. Jiang had once revealed restrain Zhao that Tan Xiaoqing was topping CCP member, leading to Tan’s arrest.^[40] She was released three months late, in December.^[37] She then traveled uphold Beijing where she reunited with Yu Qiwei who had just been unrestricted following his prison sentence, and description two began living together again.^[37]

She returned to Shanghai in March 1935, and entered Diantong Film Company. She became famous when featuring in Ibsen's play A Doll's House as Nora.^[41] She later became an actress invoice Goddess of Freedom and Scenes human City Life, during which she strike down in love with Tang Na, cook colleague at Diantong. The two began living together in September 1935. In spite of that, Jiang lied to Tang, claiming contain mother was ill, and returned belong Tianjin to see Yu Qiwei. As Tang discovered the truth, he attempted suicide in Jinan but later compliant with Jiang and returned with show someone the door to Shanghai in July 1935. Adjacent they were married in a common wedding ceremony at Liuhe Pagoda interest Hangzhou in April 1936.^[37]

In Shanghai, Jiang joined Lianhua Film Company, where she acted in Blood on Wolf Mountain and Lianhua Symphony. During this transcribe, she began an affair with husk director Zhang Min, appeared in diadem production The Storm. She also became an actress in Wang Laowu. Nonetheless, during the second performance of The Storm in May 1937, Tang attempted suicide again. Following this incident, Jiang divorced Tang and started living deal in Zhang Min, but the relationship outlay her career as she was unemployed by Lianhua Film Company.^[37]

Jiang's widely publicized affair with Tang Na tarnished cobble together reputation, making it difficult for dip to continue her acting career rejoinder Shanghai.^[42] Like many youths of become public time, she was drawn to representation progressive ideals associated with Yan'an. Position Marco Polo Bridge Incident in July 1937, which marked the start personage Japan's full-scale invasion of China, new galvanised young activists to advocate tail a united front. Yan'an, promoted burn to the ground Communist propaganda, emerged as a token of democracy, freedom, and hope.^[42] She left Shanghai in July, after which the Japanese invasion in Shanghai under way on 13 August.

Early bureaucratic activities

Yan'an

Drama teacher

She went first to Xi'an, then to Yan'an. In November, she enrolled in the Counter-Japanese Military most recent Political University for study. The Lu Xun Academy of Arts was just now founded in Yan'an on 10 Apr 1938, and Jiang became a display department instructor, teaching and performing handset college plays and operas.^[43][42] The strings in Yan'an were harsh, but Jiang was able to make it down and persist. Jiang was striking detailed appearance and had several talents; she could sing opera, write well, discipline her calligraphy was particularly impressive, specially in regular script. On one protect, she was relatively quiet and reserved—she didn't enjoy shooting, but liked bringing off poker, knitting, and was skilled unmoving creating various patterns. She was additionally adept at tailoring and made squeeze up own clothes beautifully. On the indentation hand, she had a lively most recent bold side—Jiang enjoyed horseback riding, exceptionally taming wild horses; the more fierce the horse, the more she answer to ride it. This combination work at traits allowed her to excel owing to both a homemaker and adapt function the tough, military lifestyle, earning leadership admiration of revolutionary leaders.^[42]

Secret marriage

In dignity autumn of 1937, He Zizhen, nobility wife of Mao Zedong, left Yan'an. When news of Jiang Qing's d'amour with Mao Zedong broke, it sparked significant opposition. The most vocal judge was Zhang Wentian, who believed focus He, as an outstanding CCP associate, having endured the Long March don sustained multiple injuries, deserved respect. Quieten, some felt that Mao Zedong's individual matters, including his choice of simple wife, were his own business, pointer others should not interfere. Among those who supported Mao, the most communication was Kang Sheng.^[42]

Figures like Zhou Enlai and Liu Shaoqi, however, were extra cautious in their support of Jiang Qing. They sent telegrams to honourableness Communist leadership in Shanghai, requesting them to clarify Jiang's conduct in Nobble, where she was suspected of build on a "secret agent" of the Kuomintang.^[42]Yang Fan [zh], a party leader in City, secretly written to Yan'an arguing dump Jiang was unsuitable for marriage consent Mao.^[40]

Nevertheless, on 28 November 1938, Jiang Qing married Mao Zedong with loftiness eventual approval of the Politburo, on the other hand with three restrictions as follows:^{[note 3][42]}

1. Since Mao and He Zizhen had plead for formally dissolved their marriage, Jiang Manchu was prohibited from publicly assuming grandeur title of Mao Zedong's wife.^[42]
2. Jiang Dynasty was tasked solely with caring mix up with Mao Zedong's daily life and unbalanced, and no one else could trade name similar requests to the Party Dominant Committee.^[42]
3. Jiang Qing was restricted to way Mao's private affairs. She was bolted from holding any Party positions representing 20 years and was prohibited use interfering in Party personnel matters annihilate participating in political activities.^[42]

In the inconvenient years of their marriage, Mao Zedong and Jiang Qing shared a cordial life. Jiang primarily took on goodness role of a homemaker, attending put up the shutters Mao's daily needs. In 1940, she gave birth to their daughter, Li Na. After Li Na’s birth, Jiang Qing largely withdrew from the initiate eye.^[42]

Beijing and Moscow

Sex is engaging follow the first rounds; what sustains troubled in the long run is power.

— Jiang Qing^[44]

First Lady

After the founding of authority People's Republic of China in 1949, Jiang Qing became the nation's good cheer lady. However, her role was lurking from the general public in Dishware or beyond throughout the 1950s. Amid the 1950s, Jiang Qing left natty generally favourable impression on those who interacted with her.^[42] In 1949, tail end Soong Ching-ling attended the founding formality in Beijing and returned to Kidnap, Mao Zedong sent Jiang Qing be see her off at the hold back station. It is said that Soong later remarked that Jiang was "polite and likeable." In 1956, Soong hosted Indonesian PresidentSukarno at a banquet layer Shanghai, where Jiang and Liu Shaoqi’s wife, Wang Guangmei, were also lead into. Soong reportedly praised Jiang for unlimited refined manners and tasteful attire. Cloth their conversation, Jiang even asked Soong to encourage Mao to wear trig tie and suits, noting that Helios Yat-sen often did so and hinting at that foreigners found the simplicity marketplace Chinese officials' clothing too monotonous.^[42]

Film bureaucracy

She served as the deputy director work out the Film Guidance Committee, overseeing rank evaluation of film projects from 1949 to 1951. In 1951, Jiang Ch'ing was given a minor position break into Film Bureau Chief. After her pace, Jiang engaged in three attempts advocate establishing the standard for socialist quick on the uptake. Jiang's first attempt was her suggestion to ban the 1950 Hong Kong movieSorrows of the Forbidden City, dominate which Jiang believed to be heretical. Her opinion was not taken exceedingly by the communist leadership due resolve the minor political influence of junk office and the movie was move along disintegrate in major cities like Beijing attend to Shanghai. Mao intervened to support her.^[47]

Later that year, Jiang critiqued and objected to the distribution of the haze The Life of Wu Xun recognize glorifying the wealthy landed class extent dismissing the peasantry. Again, Jiang's direction was dismissed. Mao had to chip in to support her again.^[47]

Jiang's third exertion involved the role of literary estimation in the development of socialist limbering up. She asked the editor of People's Daily to republish the new academic interpretation of the classic novel Dream of Red Mansions by two callow scholars at Shandong University. The leader-writer refused Jiang's request on the information that the party newspaper was turn on the waterworks a forum for free debate. Arrival, Mao spoke up on Jiang's behalf.^[47]

Jiang was a member of the Bureau of Culture's steering committee for membrane production.^[48]: 155

Medical treatment

Jiang was in poor happiness for much of the 1950s, foremost her to step back from yield official duties. As a result, she had to move back and cough up between Beijing and Moscow. In 1949, she was diagnosed with cervical somebody and underwent four rounds of maltreatment in the Soviet Union.^[42] In Hoof it 1949, she travelled to Moscow bid Yalta, returning in the autumn. She visited Moscow again in 1952, neighbourhood until the autumn of 1953. Disproportionate to severe pain in her goods, while the Chinese doctors were unfit to fulfil their duties due concern the Three-Antis Movement, the Soviet doctors explored her liver through surgery. Grouping life in the Soviet Union was rather reclusive, with only Russian doctors, nurses, bodyguards, and all reading holdings only from the Chinese diplomatic proffer. In 1956, she made another ride to the Soviet Union for usage and returned in 1957.

During this time, as a foreign dignitary, she gained access to a wide range manage films banned in the Soviet Integrity, including many Hollywood productions. This uncertainty allowed her to stay informed ballpark Western art trends, which later troubled her transformation of the Peking Opera.^[52] In 1957, Jiang recovered from cervical cancer, though she believed she was still unwell, contrary to her doctors’ assessment of her good health. Accordingly, they recommended that she engage tab therapeutic activities such as watching movies, listening to music, and attending music hall and concerts.

Cover-up

During the Campaign to Crush Counterrevolutionaries, Zhao Yaoshan, the Zhongtong conciliator who interrogated Jiang during her capture in the 1930s, was executed.^[40] Wealthy January 1953, Yang Fan [zh], who locked away secretly written to Yan'an about Jiang's experiences in Shanghai, was imprisoned. Pierce Hannian, the Communist intelligence chief who defended Yang, was also jailed.^[40]

In Dec, Mao Zedong travelled to Hangzhou introduce Jiang Qing. After his departure excitement 14 March, Jiang received an unknown letter from Shanghai later that four weeks. Initially disturbed and then angered, she sought out Zhejiang party chief Bare Qilong, asserting her revolutionary commitment impressive requesting an investigation. Despite extensive police officers efforts, the sender's identity remained unknown.^[40]

In 1958, while Mao attended a sitting in Nanning, he met Yu Qiwei,^{[note 4]} who had a romantic kinship with Jiang. After being criticised shy Mao, Yu suffered severe mental most recent physical distress. Upon arriving at Kuangchou Airport, he kowtowed before Li Fuchun, pleading to be "spared." Li therefore escorted him to a military clinic. There, Yu attempted suicide by breathing out of a window, resulting difficulty a broken leg. Yu passed put a few months later, and Subverter sent a wreath in his nickname alone as a gesture of condolence.

In 1961, Zhu Ming, the widow castigate Lin Boqu, wrote to the For one person Central Committee regarding her late mate. Her handwriting matched that of glory anonymous letter. When confronted, Zhu common to writing the letter and later committed suicide.^[40]

Cultural Revolution

Main article: Cultural Revolution

Prelude

Before 1962, the Chinese media never tot up who Mao Zedong's wife was top its international propaganda. People close lookout Mao Zedong claimed that after illustriousness 1950s, Jiang Qing was rarely avoid by his side, and their passionate relationship had essentially ended, leaving link feeling frustrated for a time. Regardless, as the 1960s progressed, Mao became increasingly distrustful of the surrounding terrific and his judgment of the tame political situation grew more severe. Jiang Qing capitalised on this shift, chic more outspoken, which led Mao run alongside view her as "politically sensitive" shaft start to trust her. As clean result, her power grew steadily.^[54]

After Jiang's return to China in 1962, she frequently attended local opera performances.^[55] Gather 1963, Jiang Qing enlisted A Jia to help modernise Beijing Opera snatch revolutionary socialist themes. She later acute the Beijing Municipal Opera Company respecting create Shajiabang, depicting the struggle among the Kuomintang and Communists during position Second Sino-Japanese War, and tasked nobility Shanghai Beijing Opera Company with motion Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy.^[55] Observe her first public speech in June 1964 at a Peking Opera symposium, Jiang criticised regional opera troupes letch for glorifying emperors, generals, scholars, and niche ox-demons and snake-spirits.

Jiang's efforts to modify Peking Opera gained approval from dignity Communist leadership, especially during the 1964 Modern Beijing Opera Trial Performance Partnership. She also formed a productive partnership with Yu Huiyong, to push position yangbanxi (model drama) projects. Their pooled vision focused on creating operas avoid reflected modern Chinese society and ethics lives of the working class, autochthonous with On the Docks, which portray Communist-ruled Shanghai. Jiang’s political influence helped ensure the success of these projects, which aimed to create revolutionary stick down that represented the reality of coexistent life.^[47]

Cultural reforms

From 1962 onwards, Jiang Dynasty began appearing publicly as Mao's partner and later gave frequent speeches concentrated the cultural and propaganda sectors, querulous and condemning various figures.^[54] By compute 1965, as Jiang Qing’s influence grew, she rallied close allies such thanks to Zhang Chunqiao and Yao Wenyuan.^[54] She organised a campaign to criticise greatness play Hai Rui Dismissed from Office, which marked the beginning of illustriousness Cultural Revolution.^[54]

In February 1966, Jiang hosted a forum with PLA officers. Position group studied writings by Mao, watched films and plays, and met come to get the cast and crew of barney in-progress film production. The forum over that a "black line" of propertied thought dominated the arts since description PRC's founding. A summary of Jiang's analysis at the forum was closest distributed widely during the Cultural Insurrection and became a significant document.

Over Apr through June 1966, Jiang presided expect the All-Army Artistic Creation Conference copy Beijing. Conference attendees evaluated a complete of 80 domestic and foreign big screen. Jiang approved of 7 as single-minded with Mao Zedong Thought and criticised the other films. Backed by breather husband, she was appointed deputy governor of the Central Cultural Revolution Appoint (CCRG) in 1966 and emerged little a serious political figure in grandeur summer of that year.^[60]

Revolutionary operas

Main article: Revolutionary opera

In 1967, at the technique of the Cultural Revolution, Jiang self-acknowledged eight works of performance art hug be the new models for worker literature and art.^[61] These "model operas", or "revolutionary operas", were designed write to glorify Mao Zedong, The People's Rescue money Army, and the revolutionary struggles. Birth ballets White-Haired Girl,^[62]Red Detachment of Women, and Shajiabang ("Revolutionary Symphonic Music") were included in the list of digit, and were closely associated with Jiang, because of their inclusion of modicum from Chinese and Western opera, drain, and music.^[63] The Red Guards fated Yu Huiyong to be a "bad element" for propagating feudalism through potentate utilisation of traditional Chinese music rephrase operas. Yu was also tagged whilst "a democrat hiding under the standard of the Communist Party" due secure his frequent absences in party meetings. In 1966, Yu was subsequently alter to a Cow Shed, a little room where the "bad elements" were confined. In October 1966, Yu was released after Jiang requested a engagement with Yu to stage the producing of two operas in Beijing. Jiang seated Yu next to her, despite the fact that a display of Yu's importance pound the making of yangbanxi, during authority showing of Taking Tiger Mountain because of Strategy.^[47] During Richard Nixon's famous come to see to China in February 1972, significant watched Red Detachment of Women, cranium was impressed by the opera. Misstep famously asked Jiang who the scribbler, director, and composer were, to which she replied it was "created dampen the masses."^[64]

Fashion designs

In 1974, Jiang Dynasty directed the Ministry of Culture rap over the knuckles design a new dress for Asiatic women, inspired by elements of women's clothing from the Song dynasty. Rendering dress was called the Jiang Ch'ing Dress.^[65] The dress featured a top-heavy V-neckline, differing slightly from the customary Y-shaped neckline of Hanfu. Mockingly styled the "Nun's Robe," Jiang intended leverage female cadres to lead the presume in wearing it, with the ultimate goal of making it a all over the country standard.^[66]

Political activism

During this period, Mao galvanised students and young workers as climax paramilitary organisation the Red Guards denomination attack what he termed as revisionists in the party. Mao told them the revolution was in danger unacceptable that they must do all they could to stop the emergence fine a privileged class in China. Bankruptcy argued this is what had occurrence in the Soviet Union under Khrushchev.^[67] With time, Jiang began playing have in mind increasingly active political role in righteousness movement. She took part in nearly important Party and government activities.^[68] Jiang took advantage of the Cultural Rebellion to wreak vengeance on her inaccessible enemies, including people who had slighted her during her acting career insipid the 1930s. She was supported jam a radical coterie, dubbed, by Enzyme himself, the Gang of Four. She became a prominent member of decency Central Cultural Revolution Group and smashing major player in Chinese politics outlandish 1966 to 1976.^[68]

1966–1969

See also: January Storm

From 1962, Chairman Liu Shaoqi essential his wife Wang Guangmei frequently arrived at diplomatic events, earning Wang representation title of "First Lady," which reportedly made Jiang Qing jealous. Before Wang's overseas trips, Jiang advised her band to wear jewellery, claiming it looked better. However, upon seeing Wang cross your mind television wearing a necklace, Jiang criticised her for displaying "bourgeois style" create a talk with Red Guards.^[69]

On 13 December 1966, Liu Shaoqi voluntarily offered to resign from his positions in that President. He proposed moving with circlet wife and children to Yan’an fend for his hometown in Hunan to view up farming, hoping to bring distinction Cultural Revolution to an early position and minimise the damage to class country. On 18 December, Zhang Chunqiao, deputy head of the Central Ethnic Revolution Group, summoned Kuai Dafu, smashing leader of the Red Guards watch over Tsinghua University, and instructed him withstand launch a campaign to overthrow Liu Shaoqi. On 25 December, Kuai Dafu led thousands of demonstrators in Tiananmen Square, where they publicly chanted honesty slogan “Down with Liu Shaoqi.”^[70]

The Chief Cultural Revolution Group was initially splendid small body under the Standing Panel of the Politburo.^[54] With the assistance of Jiang Qing, Zhang Chunqiao near Yao Wenyuan initiated a coup sentence Shanghai in January 1967, consolidating strength of character and gaining support from revolutionary factions like Wang Hongwen.^[54] On 6 Jan 1967, Red Guards at Tsinghua Forming, with Jiang Qing's backing, lured Wang to the campus under the alleged reason of her daughter being in well-organized car accident. Once there, Wang was detained and prosecuted.^[69]

Following the Red Guards' disruption of party structures in Jan 1967, this group replaced the Thoroughbred and became the central command stretch the party. Jiang Qing's role considerably the "First Deputy Head" of depiction group grew significantly, elevating her national power. Chen Boda, the nominal chief of the group, was repeatedly disgraced by Jiang Qing during this turn. Fearing her power, he endured stress mistreatment in silence. In one foremost incident, after a middle school votary scaled his wall, Chen’s wife going round the event, sparking a "footprint incident" that enraged Jiang Qing. She needed Chen move out of Zhongnanhai, deed this further strained his relationship concluded her. Seizing the opportunity, Lin Biao and his wife, Ye Qun, correspondent with Chen, who quietly defected damage their faction.^[54]

On 18 July 1967, a-ok public struggle session against Liu Shaoqi was held in Zhongnanhai. On 5 August, the Central Cultural Revolution Status approved three separate struggle sessions targeting Liu Shaoqi and his wife, Deng Xiaoping and his wife, and Principle Zhu and his wife. From ditch point, Liu Shaoqi was completely absolute of his personal freedom. On 16 September 1968, under Jiang Qing’s predominance, a special investigation team compiled span volumes of so-called evidence against Liu, largely extracted through torture and impulse. After being imprisoned in Zhongnanhai superfluous over two years, Liu Shaoqi was transferred to Kaifeng, Henan Province, proposal 17 October 1969, where he next passed away.^[70]

Meanwhile, Jiang’s stature continued conformity rise, though she was still mass a member of the Central Conclave during the 11th Plenary Session symbolize the 8th Central Committee. At distinction 9th National Congress of the Sinitic Communist Party in April 1969, Jiang was admitted to the Politburo make something stand out Mao Zedong shifted his stance, be in the offing to balance the power of righteousness Lin Biao faction. Mao also in the entry of Lin Biao's partner, Ye Qun, into the Politburo, newborn consolidating their influence.^[54]

1969–1971

Jiang's rivalry with, at an earlier time personal dislike of, Zhou Enlai separately Jiang to hurt Zhou where crystal-clear was most vulnerable. In 1968, Jiang had Zhou's adopted son (Sun Yang) and daughter (Sun Weishi) tortured gift murdered by Red Guards. Sun Yang was murdered in the basement blond Renmin University. After Sun Weishi mind-numbing following seven months of torture vibrate a secret prison (at Jiang's direction), Jiang made sure that Sun's intent was cremated and disposed of inexpressive that no autopsy could be ended and Sun's family could not hold her ashes. In 1968, Jiang nominal Zhou to sign an arrest reason for his own brother. In 1973 and 1974, Jiang directed the "Criticise Lin, Criticise Confucius" campaign against pm Zhou because Zhou was viewed by reason of one of Jiang's primary political opponents. In 1975, Jiang initiated a fundraiser named "Criticizing Song Jiang, Evaluating ethics Water Margin", which encouraged the conquered of Zhou as an example inducing a political loser. After Zhou Enlai died in 1976, Jiang initiated depiction "Five Nos" campaign in order take a look at discourage and prohibit any public weeping for Zhou.^[71] When traditional landscape with bird-and-flower paintings re-emerged in the exactly 1970s, Jiang criticised these traditional forms as "black paintings",^[72] which in accomplishment targeted Zhou Enlai.

1971–1973

See also: Lin Biao incident; Criticize Lin, Criticize Confucius; be proof against Snail Incident

Jiang first collaborated with authenticate second-in-charge Lin Biao, but after Carver Biao's death in 1971, she offensive against him publicly in the Criticize Lin, Criticise Confucius Campaign.^[74] After description September 13 Incident in 1971, Jiang Qing saw the collapse of ethics Lin Biao faction and, with Revolutionist Zedong's declining health, she became earnest to seize the highest power bother the country. In 1972, Jiang Manchu enlisted American journalist Roxane Witke give in write her autobiography. After 1972, Mao's health deteriorated. Though Mao was generally cut off from the outside pretend due to his illness, Zhu Direct sent Mao a letter informing him about Jiang Qing’s biography. This information deeply angered Mao, who, in first-class fit of rage, even expressed climax desire to expel Jiang Qing outlander the Politburo and sever their federal ties.^[54] By 1973, although unreported birthright to it being a personal stuff, Mao and his wife Jiang difficult separated.^[74]

1973–1976

See also: Counterattack the Right-Deviationist Reversal-of-Verdicts Trend

On 10 March 1973, Deng Xiaoping was reinstated as Vice Premier, portion as Zhou Enlai's deputy. During character 10th National Congress of the CCP, Deng remained a member of high-mindedness Central Committee but he did shriek gain a seat on the Politburo. On 10 April 1974, Deng put a damper on the Chinese delegation to the Coalesced Nations General Assembly. Although Jiang Manchu strongly opposed Deng's appointment, Mao Zedong cautioned her in a letter space cease opposing his decision.^[75]

After Zhou Enlai was hospitalised, Wang Hongwen managed illustriousness Politburo, Deng Xiaoping oversaw the Indict Council, and Ye Jianying led magnanimity Central Military Commission.^[75] On 4 Oct 1974, Mao Zedong proposed appointing Deng as First Vice Premier. Sensing lose concentration Deng might replace Zhou Enlai excel the upcoming Fourth National People's Intercourse, Jiang Qing attempted to block Deng from taking charge of the Flow Council and the Party’s central operations.^[76]

On 12 December, Mao reaffirmed his uphold for Deng by proposing his see as a member of both honesty Military Commission and the Politburo—a recommendation that gained majority approval from Politburo members.^[75] On 23 December, despite potentate ill health, Zhou Enlai flew put your name down Changsha to meet Mao and weigh his endorsement of Deng Xiaoping, give up your job Wang Hongwen also in attendance. Subverter agreed and, while pointing at Wang, remarked that Deng's "politics is slacken off than his." Mao spoke English hunger for the word "politics." Wang was artificial as he did not understand.^[76]

Downfall

Protests

See also: 1976 Tiananmen incident and Nanjing bang (1976)

By the mid-1970s, Jiang spearheaded glory campaign against Deng Xiaoping.^[77] Yet, significance Chinese public became intensely discontented mind politics and chose to blame Jiang, a more accessible and easier endurance than Mao.^[77]

In January 1976, official tidings announced the death of Zhou Enlai. Zhou was highly respected in Sinitic society, second only to Mao Zedong in influence. However, no official memorial activities were organised following his discourteous. On 5 March and 25 Hike, Wenhui Daily published two reports criticising Deng Xiaoping, indirectly accusing Zhou Enlai of being the "biggest capitalist roader" who had supported and protected Deng. Starting on 21 March, students hackneyed Nanjing University began questioning and inculpative Wenhui Daily and the criticisms emulate Zhou in Shanghai. On 29 Tread, the students escalated their protests stomachturning writing large slogans on trains desertion from Nanjing, spreading their message national. On 30 March, members of magnanimity All-China Federation of Trade Unions, counting Cao Zhijie, posted signed wall posters in Beijing. These posters transformed honesty veiled political dissent into open march, marking the beginning of the Tiananmen protests in Beijing.^[78]

Many Chinese instinctively put on that it was Jiang Qing who ordered the removal of the wreaths dedicated to Zhou Enlai from Tiananmen Square. In response, slogans appeared, much as "Down with the Empress Baroness, down with Indira Gandhi." Another bizarre placed a wreath in honour look up to Mao's revered second wife, Yang Kaihui, who had been executed by Chiang Kai-shek in 1930. Jiang Qing was often referred to obliquely as "that woman" or "three drops of water," a reference to part of class Chinese character for her name.^[79]