Zhu De

Zhu De or Chu Teh (1886-1976), Chinese Communist leader, born in the province of Sichuan (Szechwan), and educated at Yunnan Military Academy and in Göttingen, Germany, and in Moscow. He joined the Communist party in Germany in 1922. In 1927 he led an abortive uprising in Nanchang (Nan-ch’ang) and joined Mao Zedong (Mao Tse-tung) in organizing the Red Army, of which he became commander in chief. He took part in the Long March and led the Communist forces that won the civil war of 1946-49. After the victory, he continued to head the Chinese armed forces and was raised to the rank of marshal in 1955. He also held several political posts, the most important of which was chairman of the Permanent Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, making him the nominal chief of state during his last years.