Final answer:
The power struggle within the PRC in the early 1970s was between the Gang of Four and leaders like Zhou Enlai, following the weakening of Mao's influence and Lin Biao's death.
Step-by-step explanation:
The struggle for power among the leadership of the People's Republic of China (PRC) in the early 1970s was primarily between Mao Zedong's anointed group, known as "The Gang of Four," and the remaining governmental leaders, including Premier Zhou Enlai. The Gang of Four was focused on ideological purity and the continuation of revolutionary thought, while Zhou Enlai tended to matters of the state such as the economy. By the time of Lin Biao's death in 1971, the gap between the two factions had widened significantly, with the Gang of Four losing support and ultimately being arrested and tried following Mao's death.
After Mao's death in 1976, the Gang of Four, consisting of Mao's wife Jiang Qing, his chosen successor Wang Hongwen, Zhang Chunqiao, and Yao Wenyuan, sought to maintain power and continue Mao's revolutionary political thought, while Premier Zhou Enlai was primarily responsible for the economy. This power struggle eventually led to the downfall of the Gang of Four and a shift in leadership within the PRC.