Mao Zedong ruled in China from the period of 1949 - 1976. (For the majority of his life).
He received support and help from the people he could most relate to which were the peasants and farmers. Because there were 100s of millions of peasants he could receive as much manpower he desired.
Chairman Mao ruled all of China except for Taiwan.
After Mao Zedong died in 1976 Deng Xiaoping led the communists and wanted to make China an open country
peasants