The CCP's approach to handling the Chinese peasantry was fundamentally different from that of the GMD. The CCP, particularly under Mao's leadership, sought to align itself with the peasantry's interests, advocating for land redistribution, reduction of rents, and abolishing usurious practices. Mao believed that the peasantry could be the main force in the national revolution, a stark departure from the GMD's focus on the urban middle class and the neglect of rural issues. The GMD, on the other hand, was perceived as maintaining the status quo, which benefited landlords and the urban elite. The CCP's efforts to address the grievances of the peasantry and their inclusive approach in policy-making fostered loyalty and support among the rural population, which was critical for their survival and eventual success.

During the rise of communism in China, the CCP's stance towards women underwent a significant transformation. The party actively sought to mobilise women, recognising them as a crucial part of the revolution. The CCP opposed traditional Confucian gender roles, which had long subjugated women, and began to implement policies that aimed at gender equality. In areas under communist control, like the Jiangxi Soviet, women were granted rights such as divorce and property ownership, which were unprecedented in Chinese society. Women were also encouraged to participate in the workforce and the revolutionary struggle, breaking the age-old confines of domesticity. This shift not only helped to increase the CCP's support base but also initiated a social transformation that would challenge centuries-old gender norms.

The international communist movement, particularly the support from the Soviet Union, played a notable role in the early development and ideological shaping of the CCP. The Comintern, an international communist organisation led by the Soviets, provided guidance and support to the CCP in its formative years. Soviet advisors were instrumental in helping the CCP develop its organisational structure and strategies, although the relationship was at times fraught with tension due to differing perspectives on how the communist revolution should unfold in China. Financial and material aid from the Soviet Union was also significant, especially during the CCP's early engagements with the GMD. However, as the CCP grew stronger, it began to assert more independence, with leaders like Mao Zedong advocating for a distinctly Chinese path to communism, tailored to the country's unique social and political conditions.

Mao Zedong Thought is a body of political theory derived from the teachings of Mao Zedong, which adapted Marxism-Leninism to the Chinese context. Central to Mao's thought was the belief in the peasantry as the main force of the revolutionary potential in China, in contrast to orthodox Marxism, which viewed the industrial proletariat as the vanguard of revolution. Mao emphasised the importance of 'People's War' and guerrilla tactics, adapting to China's vast rural landscape and the reality of its social structure. He also introduced the concept of continuous revolution under the dictatorship of the proletariat to prevent the ossification of the state and the party. This aspect of his thought was manifested in the Cultural Revolution. Mao's teachings on self-reliance, mass mobilisation, and the 'Mass Line'—a method of leadership that involved consulting the masses and interpreting their interests—were also distinctive elements that guided the CCP's policies.

Mao Zedong's early life played a significant role in shaping his political ideology and leadership style. Born into a peasant family, Mao experienced firsthand the hardships and inequities of rural life in China, fostering a deep empathy and bond with the peasantry, which would later become the backbone of his revolutionary base. His education at the Hunan First Normal University exposed him to Western political thought and the initial stirrings of socialism, which resonated with his observations of social injustice. Mao's participation in the May Fourth Movement further solidified his commitment to revolutionary change, leading him to co-found the CCP in 1921. His experiences ingrained a belief in the potential for peasant-led revolution, setting him apart from other Marxist theorists and influencing his unique approach to Chinese communism.