Final answer:
Mao Zedong unified China and established the People's Republic of China in 1949, after defeating the Nationalist forces led by Chiang Kai-shek. The founding of the PRC was proclaimed at Tiananmen Square, and despite initial non-recognition by the United States, Mao's government eventually gained international legitimacy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The unification and independence of the People's Republic of China (PRC) in 1949 were achieved by Mao Zedong, the leader of the Communist Party of China (CPC). After a prolonged civil war with Chiang Kai-shek's Nationalist forces, Mao's Communist Party emerged victorious. The declaration of the founding of the PRC took place on October 1, 1949, at Tiananmen Square in Beijing, where Mao Zedong proclaimed the establishment of the new government. The United States, initially backing Chiang Kai-shek, refused to recognize Mao's government and regarded the government in Taiwan as the legitimate government of China until the 1970s.
Figure 14.8 showcases the historic moment when Mao Zedong officially founded the PRC, an event that is commemorated every year as the National Day of China, commencing a week-long holiday. Mao Zedong's leadership set forth a series of reforms aimed at industrial development, land distribution to peasants, and long-term goals such as universal education and gender equality. Despite initial reluctance from Western nations, the PRC under Mao eventually gained international recognition, including a seat at the United Nations in 1971.