Mao Tse-tung

Mao Tse-tung (Mao Zedong) was born of Chinese peasant stock in the twilight years of China’s imperial reign, which had lasted for more than 2 000 years. He lived to become paramount ruler over a quarter of the global population, and to establish the world’s largest Communist regime. His successes as revolutionary leader were, however, not matched by a comparable ability to develop and administer his new nation. Nathan¹ states that no other leader in modern history held so much power over so many people for so long, and in the end inflicted such a catastrophe on his country, as Mao did. It is estimated that he was responsible for the death of more than 70 million Chinese in peacetime.² This study concentrates on Mao Tse-tung as a person, and his habits and health problems.