Mao Zedong declared the establishment of the People's Republic of China on October 1, 1949. This declaration followed a lengthy civil war between the Chinese Nationalist Party (Kuomintang) and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which culminated in the victory of the CCP. Mao’s proclamation marked the end of the imperial era and the establishment of a communist state based on Marxist-Leninist principles. The creation of the People's Republic brought significant changes to Chinese society, including land reforms and the introduction of collectivization. It also marked the beginning of a transformative but tumultuous period for China in the 20th century.