The "Gang of Four" refers to a political faction in China during the late 1960s and 1970s, consisting of four key leaders: Jiang Qing, Zhang Chunqiao, Yao Wenyuan, and Wang Hongwen. They were closely associated with Mao Zedong and played a significant role in the Cultural Revolution, promoting radical policies and campaigns against perceived enemies of the state. After Mao's death in 1976, the Gang of Four was arrested and blamed for the chaos and turmoil of the Cultural Revolution. Their downfall marked a shift in Chinese politics, leading to the rise of more moderate leaders and the eventual economic reforms initiated by Deng Xiaoping.