WI: Mao Zedong Is Overthrown?

Suppose there is an uprising in China in 1972 that results in Chairman Mao being overthrown and killed in a riot? What type of government could arise in this now leaderless Chinese state? Would democracy be possible? How would the United States be involved in this?
 
Before or after Nixon goes to China?

Not that it neccessarily makes a HUGE difference, assuming that rapprochement was already in the works before the visit. But I think it's still helpful to know exactly how official that rapprochement had gotten at the time of the coup.
 
If Deng xiaoping or zhou enlai comes into power, than raproachment goes as otl. If Jiang Qing, than it's butterflied away.
 
The gang of 4 tries to seize power and fail badly.
I think this is on to something. If Mao is killed, the Gang of Four will definitely attempt to take control. If they succeed, they're going to make the Cultural Revolution look tame. If they fail, civil war with possible Soviet intervention and indirect US involvement.
 
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