Asia · 1900–1950
Chinese Communist Revolution
Leader of the communist victory in the Chinese civil war and founder of the People’s Republic.
Mao argued that China’s revolution would be made by peasants. After the Long March and the war against Japan, his armies defeated the Nationalists in 1949. Later campaigns, including the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution, caused immense suffering.
Theme. Peasant war · Party-state
Key figures. Zhou Enlai, Zhu De
Outcome. A communist party-state was established over mainland China in 1949.
Casualties. Civil war, famine, and later political campaigns killed many millions.
Influence. A template for rural guerrilla revolution beyond China.