Mao Zedong
Mao Zedong was the founding father of the People's Republic of China. He served as the Chairman of the Chinese Communist Party from 1949 until his death in 1976. His leadership greatly shaped modern China through campaigns like the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution. While Mao is celebrated by some for his role in ending imperial domination and promoting peasant empowerment, many of his policies led to devastating consequences, including famine, cultural destruction and persecution.
PERSONAL CONNECTION
WHY I FOCUSED ON THIS LEADER
I focused on Mao because he aimed to look out for the peasants of his country. He was seen as a charismatic hero by many.
WHY LOOK UP TO MAO?
He was a strong leader who put his focus on the impoverished people.
IMPACT
Mao's commitment to revolutionary ideals and focus on the marginalized had a personal impact on me, though his legacy is deeply controversial due to the consequences of his policies. He inspires me to be more selfless and to prioritize whose lives are at risk.
MAO'S BACKGROUND
Mao did not have a rough childhood, he was born into a village of wealthy farmers and lived a fairly typical childhood. This makes it even more admirable how he put his focus on the impoverished even though he did not live through what many others did
WHAT MADE MAO SUCH A FANTASTIC LEADER?
- Mao dedicated his career to helping the poor peasants of his country
- Mao helped liberate the country from foreign powers and imperialism
OBSTACLES FACED
During his political career, Mao had faced oppositions within the CCP since not everyone would agree with his policies as well as external pressures, particularly from the United States. His childhood was during a rough period in China's history because of the widespread poverty so it could have hurt him seeing others in pain.
POWERFUL QUOTE
“The people, and the people alone, are the motive force in the making of world history.” — Mao Zedong
Here, Mao is expressing his concern for the people by claiming that they hold our future. This is not very different from what his life's mission is about.
MAO SUMMARIZED IN ONE WORD
Revolutionary
MAO'S LEADERSHIP STYLE & MY OWN
I admire Mao because of his charismatic leadership but also for his determination to transform the Chinese society. I strive to be empathetic and focused on helping others like him and I believe that I try to care for others. Though it is important to recognize that his campaigns, while well-intentioned, led to large-scale suffering. For example, the Great Leap Forward led to a nationwide famine, with an estimated death toll of up to 40 million. Similarly, during the Cultural Revolution, Mao's support of radical youth movements resulted in massacres, destruction of cultural heritage and long-term damage to China's economy.
MAO'S CONTRIBUTIONS
Mao dedicated his life to transforming Chinese society, though the impact of his actions remains deeply debated today.
INSPIRATION
Mao was the leader and creator of the People's Republic of China, meaning that his government and ideologies have led millions to admire him, even as others strongly criticize his legacy.