Mao Zedong

26 December 1893 – 9 September 1976

Mao Zedong was a Chinese communist revolutionary and the founding father of the People's Republic of China, which he led as Chairman of the Communist Party from 1949 until his death in 1976. His policies, including the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution, transformed China but caused tens of millions of deaths and lasting upheaval.

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Lived at the same time

Well-documented people whose lives overlapped with Mao Zedong.

Life events

Born in Shaoshan, Hunan, China
26 December 1893

Mao Zedong was born into a peasant family in Shaoshan village in Hunan province.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Birth ✓
Co-founded the Chinese Communist Party
1 July 1921

He was among the founding members of the Chinese Communist Party in Shanghai.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Career ✓
Led the Long March
16 October 1934 – October 1935

He rose to leadership of the Communist Party during the strategic retreat of the Red Army.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Proclaimed the People's Republic of China
1 October 1949

He declared the founding of the People's Republic of China in Beijing after Communist victory in the civil war.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Launched the Great Leap Forward
1958 – 1962

He initiated a campaign of rapid industrialization and collectivization that led to a catastrophic famine.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Launched the Cultural Revolution
16 May 1966 – 9 September 1976

He initiated a mass sociopolitical movement to preserve Communist ideology, causing widespread turmoil.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Met with U.S. President Richard Nixon
21 February 1972

He received Nixon in Beijing, beginning the normalization of U.S.-China relations.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Died in Beijing
9 September 1976

Mao died in Beijing after a period of declining health.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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