Mao Zedong was a key figure in the Chinese Revolution, which began in 1911 when the Qing Dynasty fell and eventually led to the establishment of the People’s Republic of China in 1949. Mao Zedong was an instrumental leader throughout the revolution, applying Marxist-Leninist ideology to the peasant-based revolution, leading the Red Army, and eventually becoming the Chairman of the Communist Party of China in 1949. His contributions to the Chinese Revolution have been legion, and his legacy as one of the most influential leaders in Chinese history remains strong.
Mao first made a name for himself during the May Fourth Movement of 1919, when he wrote a series of essays that awakened Chinese people to their reality outside of the imperial system and sparked the modern revolutionary movement. Mao joined the Chinese Communist Party in 1921, and soon rose to power within the organization, becoming a major force in the Chinese communist movement. He is credited with developing the theory of guerrilla warfare and gaining support among peasants and workers by developing a rural base. Following the Long March in 1934, Mao and his supporters assumed control of the Communist Party and began to consolidate power.
In 1937, Mao declared a “People’s War of Resistance” against the Japanese forces, who were occupying much of China at the time. Mao used this war to further solidify power among the communists and to gain support from both the peasantry and the working class by providing them with land, education, and economic security. He also commanded the famous Red Army in its numerous battles against the Japanese.
The end of World War II saw the resumption of the civil war between the Nationalists and the Communists. Mao and the Communists started off at a disadvantage, having lost the sympathy of the majority of the population due to their association with the Soviet Union. However, Mao was able to regain their favor by releasing the New Democracy program, which provided for land reform, economic stability, and political freedom for Chinese citizens. This allowed him to defeat the Nationalists by 1949, leading to the establishment of the People’s Republic of China.
Following the establishment of the Republic, Mao turned to the task of nation-building, launching the Great Leap Forward in 1958 and the Cultural Revolution in 1966. These are seen by some as failed attempts at modernization, but they do indicate Mao’s commitment to radically transforming the Chinese state and society.
Mao Zedong was a key contributor to the success of the Chinese Revolution and the eventual establishment of the People’s Republic of China. Through his writing, his leadership of the Red Army, and his strategies of guerrilla warfare, Mao was able to secure the support of Chinese citizens for the cause of revolution and build the foundations of what would become the People’s Republic of China. Furthermore, his attempts at nation-building through the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution indicate his deep commitment to radical change in Chinese society. Although these projects are seen as unsuccessful by some, his dedication to such far-reaching transformation is undeniable and will remain part of his enduring legacy.