When was the Mao Zedong period and who ruled it?

The Mao Zedong period in China is generally considered to have lasted from 1949, when the People's Republic of China was established, until Mao's death in 1976. During this time, Mao Zedong, the founding father of the People's Republic and leader of the Communist Party, ruled the country. His leadership was marked by significant social and political upheaval, including the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution. Mao's policies had a profound impact on China's development and its society.