4. China
China’s 20th century was marked by profound upheaval. The Chinese Civil War (1945-1949) between the Nationalists and Communists resulted in the establishment of the People’s Republic of China in 1949 (britannica.com). The Great Leap Forward (1958-1962) aimed to rapidly industrialize the nation but led to a catastrophic famine, causing the deaths of millions. The Cultural Revolution (1966-1976), initiated by Mao Zedong, sought to reinforce communist ideology but resulted in widespread persecution, social upheaval, and the loss of countless lives.
