Deng’s changed the course of Chinese history at the 3rd Plenum of 11th Party Congress in December 1978. Proving once and for all that he had wrested control from Hua Guofeng, Deng introduced the policy of “reforms and opening,” or gaige kaifang (改革开放), marking the start of a new era for China.
When Mao died on September 9, 1976, he passed over the disgraced Deng Xiaoping to make Hua Guofeng his successor. Hua moved quickly against the Gang of Four, including Jiang Qing, but proved no match for the resilience and connections of Deng Xiaoping. Deng slowly consolidated support in the party and army for his cause,… Read more »
Zhou Enlai’s death, in January 1976, sparked a massive public outpouring of grief. Mao failed to make an appearance at the funeral, leaving Deng to give the eulogy: Deng considered Zhou his “elder brother” from their time together in France. Deng had been running the country since his return from the countryside in 1973, brutally… Read more »