Mao Zedong is considered the founder of the People’s Republic of China. He became China’s ruler from the establishment of the republic back in 1949 up to his eventual death in 1976. His rule over China is considered to have shaped what China is today as a country. The following are some interesting facts about Mao Zedong:

Fact 1: Mao Zedong was a farmer before he became China’s ruler and founding father. Born to a peasant father, the young Mao served his family’s farming business while juggling his schedule in school. By the time he became a teenager, Mao Zedong devoted all of his time helping his family in farming.

Fact 2: The young Mao Zedong was assigned to get married at the age of 14 but he did not give way to his father’s commands. Mao Zedong was very young by then and was working full time in their farm and wanted to get more education and so he decided not to agree to the arranged marriage.

Fact 3: Mao Zedong joined China’s Revolutionary Army by 1911. At this time, many people in China began their revolt against the ruling monarchy of the country. It was also during this time that the young Mao Zedong learned about his initial beliefs on nationalism and communism.

Fact 4: Mao Zedong was able to finish school in Hunan and became a teacher. In 1918, Mao earned his certification as teacher at the Hunan First Normal School.

Fact 5: Mao Zedong also earned experience as a librarian. After he got his certification in teaching, Mao moved to Beijing to find a decent job and eventually landed a stint at the Beijing University library. He was hired as a library assistant and had the chance to attend some classes in the same university.

Fact 6: Mao believed in the idea of communism and that this belief could help peasants across China to overthrow the country’s government. Being a peasant farmer and having earned a good education later, Mao Zedong eventually became the leader of China’s communist party.

Fact 7: Mao was the leader of loyal communists in China. With the ongoing Civil War between China’s Nationalist Party under Chiang Kai-shek and Mao’s Communist party, Mao Zedong was able to save thousands of his followers by way of retreating from the Nationalist group. Mao’s communist group eventually grew stronger and later defeated the Nationalists.

Fact 8: Mao Zedong was considered a very brutal ruler. Having conquered the Nationalist Party and catapulted his own Communist Party to the highest power of government, Mao became a feared leader. People who disagreed with his ruling were executed and punished.

Fact 9: The rule of Mao Zedong crumbled due to famine across China. The leader actually planned for industrialization but his plans were unsuccessful and led to widespread hunger and distress in China. This situation led to Mao losing some of his power and authority over China.

Fact 10: Mao was able to regain power over China with the help of peasants. Forming the so-called Red Guard, Mao was able to gain absolute power in China until his eventual death in 1976 from Parkinson’s disease.