Mao Zedong Leader of The People's Republic of China - Page 1

Of Hunanese peasant stock, Mao was trained in Chinese classics and later received a modern education. As a young man he observed oppressive social conditions, becoming one of the original members of the Chinese Communist party. He organized (1920s) Kuomintang-sponsored peasant and industrial unions and directed (1926) the Kuomintang's Peasant Movement Training Institute. After the Kuomintang-Communist split (1927), Mao led the disastrous "Autumn Harvest Uprising" in Hunan, leading to his ouster from the central committee of the party.

From 1928 until 1931 Mao, with Zhu De and others, established rural soviets in the hinterlands, and built the Red Army. In 1931 he was elected chairman of the newly established Soviet Republic of China, based in Jiangxi province.

During the Second Sino Japanese War (1937-45) the Communists and the After withstanding five encirclement campaigns launched by Chiang Kai-shek, Mao led (1934-35) the Red Army on the Long March (6,000 mi/9,656 km) from Jiangxi north to Yan'an in Sha'anxi province, emerging as the most important Communist leader. During the Second Sino Japanese War (1937-45) the Communists and the Kuomintang continued their civil war while both were battling the Japanese invaders. Kuomintang continued their civil war while both were battling the Japanese invaders.