Mao Tse-Tung was a Chinese revolutionary and statesman who served as the Chairman of the Communist Party of China from 1945 until his death in 1976. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures of the 20th century, and his political theories, military strategies, and policies are collectively known as Maoism. His given name was Tung, and he is often referred to as Mao Tse-Tung or simply Mao.