Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Maoism is a political ideology based on the teachings and beliefs of Chinese leader Mao Zedong. It emphasizes revolutionary struggle, class struggle, and egalitarianism.
Related terms
Communism: A political ideology advocating for common ownership of resources and the absence of social classes.
Great Leap Forward: An economic campaign initiated by Mao Zedong aimed at rapidly transforming China into an industrialized society.
Cultural Revolution: A sociopolitical movement led by Mao Zedong that aimed to preserve communist ideology by purging capitalist elements from Chinese society.