Mao Zedong

Born:

December 26, 1893, Shaoshan, Hunan, China

Died:

September 9, 1976, Beijing, China

Nationality:

Chinese

Profession(s):

Revolutionary, Politician, Marxist Theorist, Military Strategist

Early Life and Education

• Born into a peasant family in Shaoshan, Hunan province.
• Received a basic education in Confucian classics.
• Attended Hunan First Normal School in Changsha (1913-1918), where he was exposed to radical political thought.

Career and Major Achievements

• A founding member of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in 1921.
• Played a key role in the Chinese Civil War against the Nationalist government led by Chiang Kai-shek.
• Led the Long March (1934-1936), solidifying his leadership within the CCP.
• Established the People's Republic of China on October 1, 1949.
• Initiated the Great Leap Forward (1958-1962), an economic and social campaign that resulted in widespread famine.
• Launched the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976), a socio-political movement intended to purge capitalist and traditional elements from Chinese society.
• Oversaw significant improvements in literacy and healthcare in China during his rule.

Legacy and Impact

Mao Zedong remains a highly controversial figure. While credited with unifying China and improving some aspects of life for its population, he is also held responsible for the deaths of millions during the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution. Many resources exist for gaining further understanding of his life and legacy, including a 'mao biography video for students' that can provide a concise overview.

Notable Works

• Report on an Investigation of the Peasant Movement in Hunan (1927)
• On Guerrilla Warfare (1937)
• On Practice (1937)
• On Contradiction (1937)
• Quotations from Chairman Mao Tse-tung (Little Red Book)

Major Policies and Campaigns

Related links