China had been developing under a powerful ruler in a very self-sufficient style making it a prime target for European colonialism. To prevent this occurrence, a Nationalist government seized control, trying to emulate the democracies of the West. However, there was a strong resentment of the Western democracies after they gave control of previously Chinese lands to Japan at the end of World War II. When looking for a different solution, Chinese intellectuals discovered Marxism.
The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) took its orders directly from the Soviet Union. They formed a temporary alliance with Chiang Kaishek and the Nationalist government in order to create a united front against the colonial powers. In the midst of this campaign in 1927, however, Chiang turned on the communists, murdering them and driving them to remote areas of the country.
One of those exiled was Mao Zedong, a future leader of Marxism in China. Mao adapted Marxism to fit China's situation. The tremendous peasant class had to substitute for the proletariat, or working class, in order for a revolution to succeed. The CCP army, in order to gain peasant support and troops, never abused its power and treated everyone with respect. This worked remarkably well for a while. Mao was even able to establish a Marxist government in 1931, in the middle of Chiang's nationalist one.
This, however was short-lived. Using modern weapons and techniques imported from Nazi Germany, in 1934, the Nationalists destroyed the socialist government which had already begun abusing its power on landlords and political enemies. Mao and 100,000 followers fled 6,000 miles to the north in what is known as the Long March. Only 10,000 people, including Mao, survived the year-long trek. It was following this trek that Mao gained super human status and was widely recognized as the head of the CCP.
A year later, after regaining some strength, the CCP was forced to unite with the nationalists to oust Japanese invaders. The truce was uneasy, and much fighting broke out between the two supposed allies. After the end of the war, Mao had won more support of the peasantry by proving to be a true patriot. It was an easy task to overtake the weakened nationalists and install a communist government.
In 1949, Mao declared the existence of the People's Republic of China. Through an unusual combination of thought control and staying in touch with peasant life, Mao kept his power steady. It also helped that he was often revered as a superhuman by the people.
