The underlying causes of the rise of communism in China include a combination of social, economic, and political factors. Following decades of imperialist domination and civil unrest, many Chinese people faced acute poverty and inequality, leading to widespread discontent with the ruling Nationalist government. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP), founded in 1921, capitalized on these grievances, appealing to peasants and workers by promising land reforms and social equality. The chaotic aftermath of the Chinese Civil War and the Japanese invasion during World War II further discredited the Nationalists, allowing the CCP, led by Mao Zedong, to gain popular support and ultimately seize power in 1949.