Mao Zedong

Mao Zedong was born in Hunan in 1893 and helped found the Chinese Communist Party in 1921. Work among peasants helped shape his approach to revolution, which emphasized rural organization and armed struggle. After the Nationalist–Communist rupture of 1927, he developed bases in the countryside. He consolidated his authority during and after the Long March and became party chairman in 1945. ¹

The Communists defeated Chiang Kai-shek’s Nationalist forces across most of the mainland during the civil war that followed Japan’s surrender. On October 1, 1949, Mao proclaimed the People’s Republic of China. His government undertook land reform, extended state control over economic life, and later collectivized agriculture. Changes to marriage law and the expansion of public services accompanied political campaigns that concentrated power in the party. ^{2, 1, 4}

The Great Leap Forward, launched in 1958, sought accelerated industrial and agricultural growth through mass mobilization and communes. Mao drove its radical goals and overrode opposition, while officials struggled to meet unrealistic production demands. The campaign contributed to a famine that killed tens of millions. ^{3, 4}

In 1966 Mao launched the Cultural Revolution, mobilizing supporters against people and institutions he portrayed as obstructing revolution. Red Guards and other participants became involved in persecution and violent struggles. Officials, teachers, intellectuals, and many other people suffered violence and political persecution. Mao’s personality cult reached extraordinary intensity, and the upheaval continued in changing forms until his death in 1976. ^{4, 1}

Under Mao, China intervened in the Korean War against forces led by the United States, deepening the hostility between Beijing and Washington. Relations with the Soviet Union also deteriorated, breaking the earlier unity of the two Communist powers. These rivalries gave Chinese foreign policy a changing set of dangers: confrontation with the United States did not prevent conflict with Moscow. ^{5, 1, 6}

Concern about the Soviet Union helped make an opening to Washington possible. Mao met Richard Nixon in Beijing in February 1972, while Zhou Enlai conducted much of the detailed negotiation. The Shanghai Communiqué recorded areas of cooperation and the governments’ different positions on Taiwan. The visit began a strategic rapprochement; full diplomatic relations followed in 1979, after Mao’s death. ⁶