Key People- China A level History edexcel

Chinese philosopher born in 551BC. Argued people should be loyal to figures of authority. Basis for much of early 20th century thinking in China

Prestigious member of the CCP. Fully committed to Communism despite being arrested by the nationalists. Wrote The Sun Shines Over The Sanggan River in 1948 about communist land reform.

Mao's Political secretary at Yan'an. One of Mao's closest ideological experts and trusted advisor. Played a key role in organising propaganda and was the editor of the party journal: The Red Flag. Called the victims of famine: "an unavoidable phenomenon of our onward march." supported Mao during the Cultural Revolution as leader of the Cultural Revolution Group. At the Ninth Party Congress in 1969, he was 4th in command.

Soviet Agrobiologist. Distorted his scientific research in order to gain influence in Stalin's Russia. His ideas were promoted in China and Mao named a doctrine after him in 1958.

Mao's 4th wife from 1938. Stayed out of politics until she was appointed a key role in the Cultural Revolution Group. Given authority to control and remould Chinese culture in order to include a greater focus on Communist ideology. Hoped to take Mao's place as leader and encouraged the Red Guards to destroy anyone who may rival her.

Joined the Party in the 1930s and was trained in interrogation and torture by the NKVD. Loyal to Mao and key in the Cultural Revolution at persecuting and arresting enemies of Mao. Died of cancer in 1975 and condemned by the party after his death.

Helped to rebuild China after the Great Leap Forward. He was popular, therefore, Mao was jealous. This person opposed Mao's ideas to start the Cultural Revolution, proposing the use of Party work teams to suppress uprisings in universities. Became clear that he was the main target for the CR. His wife was humiliated in 1967 by labelling her as capitalist. Jiang Qing ordered for him to be kept alive as a living target. Was charged with betraying the CCP in 1968. Officially denounced in 1969. Developed pneumonia and was refused hospital treatment by Mao. Died in November 1968.

Also angered Mao. Helped Liu Shaoqi introduce economic reforms without Mao's advice. Accused of trying to establish his own "independent kingdom". Disappeared from public sight and sent to a tractor factory in rural Jiangxi to work. Like Liu, his family were also tortured.

Experienced soldier who led the Red Army against the Japanese in WW2 and against the nationalists in the civil war. Replaced Peng Dehuai as Minister of Defence in 1959. Supported the radicals during the Cultural Revolution. Officially named as Mao's successor in 1969 but fled in 1971 out of fear of being purged. His plane crashed killing him and his family.

Experienced communist who founded the European branch of the CCP. Became Premier of the PRC in 1949 and held this post until his death. He was 'principal administrator' of the bureaucracy running China. Also foreign minister and avoided the purges of the party by not crossing Mao. Seen as a moderating figure acting against the excesses of the Cultural Revolution, he was popular with the people. Died of cancer in 1976 which led to demonstrations against the radicals at the 'Tiananmen Square Incident'.

Founder of the PRC. Died in 1976.