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As China opened its doors to the West, Mao witnessed the fall of the imperial system that had governed China for centuries. As a teenager, he delved into history and politics, learning about early calls for democratic governance, and drawing inspiration from figures like Sun Yat-sen, who advocated for national rejuvenation through the establishment of a republic.
Political Awakening in Turbulent Times
During the tumultuous period of the late Qing Dynasty, regional famines and uprisings catalyzed a revolutionary fervor. In 1911, Mao enlisted in the rebel army seeking to overthrow the Qing dynasty. By the early 1920s, he had fully committed himself to the nascent communist movement, attracted by Marxist ideas that promised a radical transformation of society.