Evaluate the role of the Gang of Four in the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution between 1966 and 1976.

Candidates will make an appraisal of the role of the Gang of Four in the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution between 1966 and 1976 by weighing up its importance or otherwise. They may adopt a chronological approach that contextualises the Cultural Revolution in the aftermath of the Great Leap Forward and the side lining of Mao. Candidates may consider Mao’s launch of the Cultural Revolution and the Gang of Four who promoted Mao’s ideas of continuous revolution. They may refer to the Gang of Four collectively or identify the actions of members such as Jiang Qing. Alternatively, candidates may choose a thematic approach and balance the Gang of Four’s role against other aspects such as the Red Guard Movement, the significance of other leaders, and the role of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). These need not all be covered or covered equally. Both the importance or otherwise must be clearly indicated but there does not need to be an equal focus on each. While other, relevant, factors may be referred to, the bulk of the response will remain on the issue raised in the question.