Mao Zedong was the leader instrumental in establishing the People's Republic of China in 1949. As the key figure in the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), Mao played a pivotal role in the Chinese Civil War against the Nationalists, led by the Kuomintang (KMT). His ideological stance, based on Marxist-Leninism and Maoism, galvanized support from peasants and workers, facilitating a successful revolution. When the CCP declared the establishment of the People's Republic on October 1, 1949, it marked the beginning of a new era in Chinese politics, society, and economics, profoundly influencing China’s trajectory throughout the 20th century and beyond.