The Communist Revolution in China is an important part of Chinese history and has shaped the country in untold ways. The following are some of the key figures who played an instrumental role in the Communist Revolution:
1. Mao Zedong (1893-1976): Mao Zedong is widely regarded as the founder of the People’s Republic of China and one of the most influential political figures of the 20th century. He was a major figure in the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and led the Long March to create the Red Army, which helped to secure power for the communists in 1949. He implemented a number of radical economic policies, including the Great Leap Forward (1958–62), during his time as Chairman of the Communist Party. Mao Zedong is still revered by many in China today and is renowned for his leadership in the Communist Revolution.
2. Zhu De (1886-1976): Zhu De was a Chinese military leader who was a commander in the Red Army during the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937–45). He joined forces with Mao Zedong during the Long March and became one of the key figures in the CCP. He rose to prominence under Mao’s leadership and eventually became Commander-in-Chief of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). As a result of his leadership, the PLA won numerous battles during the war making him a respected and influential leader of the Communist Revolution.
3. Deng Xiaoping (1904-1997): Deng Xiaoping was a prominent Chinese statesman who served various roles in the Chinese government throughout his life. During the early years of the Communist Revolution, he served as Party Secretary of Southwest China, where he implemented numerous reforms in order to modernize the region. He was then appointed to the Politburo Standing Committee, which was the highest authority in the CCP at the time. After the death of Mao Zedong, he became the de facto leader of China and introduced several policies which would shape the future of the country.
4. Zhou Enlai (1898-1976): Zhou Enlai was the first Premier of the People’s Republic of China and is considered one of the most important figures of the Communist Revolution. He had a long career in the Chinese government, beginning with a post in the Nationalist Party in 1927. He then joined forces with Mao Zedong in the early 1930s and served as Foreign Minister during the Long March. He was responsible for forming diplomatic relations with foreign nations during the 1950s and 1960s, effectively transforming China from an isolated nation to a major international player.
5. Liu Shaoqi (1898-1969): Liu Shaoqi was a Chinese communist leader who served as the second President of the People’s Republic of China from 1959 to 1968. He was a close ally to Mao Zedong during the early days of the Communist Revolution and tried to steer the country in a more moderate direction. However, his policies were met with resistance from Mao and he was eventually forced out of office and died in solitary confinement. Nevertheless, his reforms and policies ultimately helped to lay the groundwork for the modern Chinese economy.
6. Jiang Qing (1914-1991): Jiang Qing was a Chinese actress and one of the main figures of the Cultural Revolution in China. She joined forces with Mao Zedong in the 1940s and became increasingly influential in the Communist Party. She was part of the Gang of Four, a political faction which sought to suppress and control cultural expression in China during the late 1960s and early 1970s. Her approach to cultural reform earned her widespread criticism, but she remained a powerful figure in the revolution and is still remembered in China today.