China has a long history as a centralized government under imperial dynasties. In 1911, the last emperor was overthrown and a republic was declared. After World War 2, a civil war broke out between communist forces led by Mao Zedong and nationalist forces led by Jiang Jieshi. In 1949, Mao's communists defeated the nationalists who fled to Taiwan. Mao sought to industrialize China and help farmers through disastrous programs like the Great Leap Forward and Cultural Revolution that led to widespread famine and death. After Mao's death in 1976, Deng Xiaoping realized China needed economic reforms allowing private enterprise to continue communism and development.