• Zhou Enlai: A dominant figure in Chinese politics, known for his political acumen.
• Deng Xiaoping: Another significant figure in PRC politics. He was dismissed and then brought back.
• Lin Biao: His downfall led to the rise of Zhou and Deng.
• Jiang Qing and the Maoists: They were wary of Zhou and Deng's growing influence.
• Gang of Four: A dominant faction supporting the Cultural Revolution.

✨ Fun Fact! Imagine politics being like the game of 'Survivor', where alliances, strategies, and cunning can lead you to victory. Zhou and Deng were like the master players!

• Played a central role in exposing a plot against Mao.
• Survived numerous attempts to oust him during the Cultural Revolution.
• Maintained the CCP unity during the tumultuous 1960s.
• Emerged as an international statesman in the 1970s.

🍿 Real-world example: Consider Zhou like the director of a blockbuster movie. When things were falling apart, he held the cast (CCP) together and produced a hit (prevented the party from fracturing).

• His previous dismissal turned out beneficial.
• In 1973, Zhou invited him back into the government.
• By 1975, he reclaimed his position as the party secretary.
• However, he faced opposition, especially from Jiang Qing and Maoists.

🍔 Bite-sized Fact: Deng's career was like a rollercoaster; with highs, lows, and unexpected turns. But he always found his way back to the top!

• The Cultural Revolution was less rigorously enforced after 1973.
• However, it wasn't completely abandoned. Arrests and expansion of prison camps continued.
• The Gang of Four, supported by Mao, ensured the Revolution persisted.

🚀 Real-world analogy: Think of the Cultural Revolution as a long TV series. Even though some episodes (years) are less intense than others, the main plot (the revolution's goals) remains unchanged.