Abbas I vs Mao Zedong

Abbas I created a standing army of ghulams (military slaves) recruited from Christian subjects in the Caucasus, particularly Georgians and Armenians. This reduced reliance on the Qizilbash tribal forces, increased royal control, and modernized the military with firearms and artillery.

Abbas I moved the Safavid capital from Qazvin to Isfahan, transforming it into a magnificent city with grand architecture, including Naqsh-e Jahan Square, the Shah Mosque, and the Ali Qapu Palace. This relocation became a symbol of Safavid power and cultural flourishing.

Abbas I sent diplomatic missions to European courts, including those of Philip III of Spain, Rudolf II of the Holy Roman Empire, and Elizabeth I of England, seeking alliances against the Ottoman Empire. These missions opened sustained diplomatic and commercial exchanges between Safavid Persia and Europe.

Abbas I defeated an Ottoman army near Sufiyan, securing Safavid control over Azerbaijan and the Caucasus. This victory was part of the Ottoman-Safavid War of 1603-1618, which resulted in the recapture of Tabriz, Nakhchivan, and Yerevan from Ottoman occupation.

Abbas I, with support from the English East India Company, captured the island of Hormuz from Portuguese control. This ended Portuguese dominance in the Persian Gulf and opened direct trade routes for Safavid Persia with Europe, boosting the silk trade.

Abbas I captured Baghdad from the Ottoman Empire after a siege, restoring Safavid control over Iraq. This victory expanded Safavid territory and gave Abbas control over important Shi'a pilgrimage sites like Najaf and Karbala.

Mao Zedong led the Chinese Red Army on a strategic retreat from Nationalist forces, covering approximately 6,000 miles over 370 days. The march solidified Mao's leadership within the Chinese Communist Party and became a foundational myth of the Communist revolution.

Mao Zedong declared the founding of the People's Republic of China from Tiananmen Gate in Beijing. This ended the Chinese Civil War and established Communist rule over mainland China, with Mao as Chairman of the Central People's Government.

Mao launched a campaign to rapidly industrialize China and collectivize agriculture. The policy led to widespread mismanagement, resulting in a famine that caused an estimated 15-45 million deaths between 1959 and 1961.

Mao's ideological differences with Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev led to a breakdown in relations between China and the Soviet Union. The split ended the Sino-Soviet alliance and reshaped global Cold War dynamics, with China pursuing an independent path.

Mao initiated a sociopolitical movement to purge capitalist and traditional elements from Chinese society. The Red Guard youth groups attacked intellectuals and officials, leading to widespread violence, destruction of cultural artifacts, and an estimated 1-2 million deaths.

Mao approved an invitation for the U.S. table tennis team to visit China, initiating a thaw in Sino-American relations. This cultural exchange paved the way for President Nixon's visit to China in 1972 and the eventual normalization of diplomatic ties.