Mao Zedong

Mao Zedong was a Chinese revolutionary leader and the founding father of the People's Republic of China in 1949. He played a pivotal role in promoting Marxist-Leninist socialism adapted to China's conditions, known as Maoism. His policies aimed to transform China through land redistribution and collectivization, emphasizing the role of the peasantry in revolution. However, his leadership was marked by significant upheaval, including the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution, which led to widespread hardship and loss of life. Mao's legacy is complex, blending achievements in state-building with controversial and devastating policies.