Final answer:
Mao Zedong was a communist revolutionary who became the leader of the People's Republic of China after defeating Chiang Kai-shek in 1949. He is known for his leadership during the Long March and as Chairman of the CCP, as well as for initiating the Cultural Revolution.
Step-by-step explanation:
Mao Zedong was a significant figure in 20th-century history, particularly in the context of China's political transformations. He was a communist revolutionary who played a pivotal role in the overthrow of the Nationalist government led by Chiang Kai-shek in 1949. After this victory, Mao became the leader and founding father of the People's Republic of China. He is known for his leadership during the Long March and his time as Chairman of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Mao's ideologies and policies, including the Cultural Revolution, have left a deep imprint on Chinese society and politics.
Zhou Enlai, another prominent Communist leader and a close ally of Mao, served as the first Premier of the People's Republic of China. The Cultural Revolution, which was initiated by Mao, aimed to enforce communist doctrine, but it ended up causing severe social, economic, and political turmoil. Although revered by many for his role in the establishment of modern China, Mao's legacy is also marked by controversies over his political campaigns and their consequences.