Part 8/9:
Mao Zedong passed away on September 9, 1976, amid a splintering party and a nation grappling with the aftermath of his tumultuous policies. His death heralded the end of an era and ushered in a new course for China under Deng Xiaoping, who sought to steer the nation toward modernization and economic reform.
Today, Mao is a controversial figure. Some view him as a hero of the revolution who transformed China into a unified nation, while others condemn his totalitarian rule and the millions of lives lost under his policies. His legacy embodies the complexity of modern Chinese history, encapsulating both revolutionary fervor and profound tragedy.