The Rise Of Mao Zedong | Parade Of The Waking Giant | Timeline

The script begins with a documentary introduction by Dan Snow, standing in a Lancaster Bomber cockpit, announcing his new history channel, History Hit, which is likened to Netflix for history. He then sets the scene for a historic moment in Beijing, China, on October 1, 1949, where Mao Zedong announces the establishment of a people's government run by the Communist Party. The narrative also touches on the challenges faced in organizing the first parade following the founding announcement, highlighting the obstacles that had to be overcome to ensure its success.

This paragraph delves into the historical context of China's power struggle since the abdication of the last emperor of the Qing Dynasty in 1912. It describes the various factions vying for control, the Japanese invasion in the 1930s, and the eventual showdown between Chiang Kai-shek's Kuomintang and Mao Zedong's Communist Party. The focus then shifts to the preparations for the 1949 parade, detailing the decisions made to differentiate the new regime from the previous KMT government, including renaming the country, moving the capital back to Beijing, and creating a new national flag and anthem.

The 199th Division of the North China Military Area Command is highlighted as the only infantry unit to be inspected by Mao Zedong during the parade. The excitement of the soldiers is palpable, but the challenges of preparing for the parade are also evident. The People's Liberation Army (PLA) had to develop their precision drilling and parade skills from scratch, and the soldiers had to adapt to formal drills after years of fighting. Additionally, the equipment and weapons were varied, and the cavalry units had to manage their horses' droppings during the parade.

The choice of the area around the old imperial palace, or Forbidden City, as the venue for the parade is discussed, emphasizing its historical significance as the center of power in China. The Tianaanmen Tower, or the Gate of Heavenly Peace, is highlighted as the site of important proclamations and the ideal venue to symbolize the advent of a new era. The paragraph also describes the efforts to prepare the area for the founding event and the challenges of transforming a smaller area into a grand stage for a key moment in China's history.

The Chinese People's Liberation Army's (PLA) readiness for the parade is discussed, including the need for precision and the development of their parade skills. The story of a tank named 'Gong-chen' or 'Meritorious Service Tank' is shared, highlighting the innovation of its driver, Dong Lai Fu, who解决了 the issue of alignment during the parade. The paragraph also touches on the difficulties faced in preparing for the parade, such as the lack of a navy or air force and the need to present what they had as more substantial than it was.

The paragraph focuses on the search for the complete audio and video of Mao's speech on October 1, 1949. The challenges of understanding Mao's dialect and the efforts to find a suitable translator are detailed. The discovery of a better quality audio recording and the subsequent synchronization with the footage are described, revealing the true enormity of the situation that the majority of the crowd would not have understood Mao's speech.

The paragraph discusses the air force's role in the parade, including the initial decision not to participate and the subsequent plan to arm several planes in case of an air raid. The secrecy surrounding this operation and the bold idea to deceive foreign reporters by flying the same nine fighters multiple times to appear as a larger air force are highlighted.

The successful execution of the parade is described, with the troops maintaining their formations, the tanks avoiding collisions, and the air force's impressive display. The focus then shifts to the completion of the translation and synchronization of Mao's speech, revealing the substance of the missing parts and the significance of this historical record. The parade's success in achieving a propaganda coup and the reaction of the crowd and leaders, including Mao, are emphasized.