What did Mao Zedong think of peasants?

Mao Zedong viewed peasants as the backbone of the Chinese revolution and a key force in the fight against feudalism and Imperialism. He believed that the rural population, due to their large numbers and revolutionary potential, could lead the Communist movement, contrasting with the traditional Marxist focus on the urban proletariat. Mao's emphasis on peasant support shaped his strategies during the Chinese Civil War and the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949. This perspective led to significant policy shifts, including land reforms aimed at empowering peasants.