A major political change that occurred in China in 1949 was the establishment of the People's Republic of China (PRC) under the leadership of the Communist Party led by Mao Zedong. This victory followed a protracted civil war against the Nationalist forces, leading to significant social, economic, and political transformations in the country. The establishment of the PRC marked the end of centuries of imperial rule and initiated a new era of socialist governance, significantly affecting both Chinese society and international relations.