1. Mao: Emergence of China as an authoritarian state
The CCP under the leadership of Mao achieved victory against the Nationalist forces - the Goumindang (GMD) in 1949 following two decades of conflict which involved not only civil war between the two groups but also war against the Japanese from 1937 onwards. Once in power the CCP was able to extend its power through a series of campaigns launched from above but carried out from below. In addition, the Korean War...