The first president of the People's Republic of China was Mao Zedong. He served as president from 1949 until 1954, although he held far more power as the Chairman of the Chinese Communist Party. Mao was instrumental in leading the Communist Party to victory in the Chinese Civil War, establishing the People's Republic of China on October 1, 1949. His leadership marked a significant turning point in Chinese history, as he implemented sweeping social and economic reforms, including land redistribution and the collectivization of agriculture. Mao's legacy remains deeply influential and controversial, shaping China's trajectory for decades.