People's War

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Shining Path propaganda poster encouraging the People's War.

“	The people's state protects the people. Only when the people have such a state can they educate and remould themselves by democratic methods on a country-wide scale, with everyone taking part, and shake off the influence of domestic and foreign reactionaries...rid themselves of the bad habits and ideas acquired in the old society, not allow themselves to be led astray by the reactionaries, and continue to advance- to advance towards a socialist and communist society.	„
	~ Mao Zedong

The People's War, also called the Prolonged People's War, is a political-military strategy developed by Mao Zedong that is based on obtaining the support of the population and attracting the enemy so that the population can defeat it through a mobile war or a guerrilla war. It is a tactic widely used by Maoist organizations to fight against the government.

Examples of People's War in countries:

China

During the Chinese Civil War, the Communist Party of China led by Mao Zedong first employed the People's War, starting in mountainous and forested terrain where enemy forces were weak, and earning the trust of the population and using guerrilla warfare to gain control of the country.

Vietnam

During the Vietnam War, the Việt Cộng with the support of Ho Chi Minh and his Communist Party of Vietnam managed to defeat the forces of South Vietnam and the United States thanks to the great support of the peasant population and a very effective guerilla warfare tactic. The jungle geography was also very favorable for the Việt Cộng.

Cambodia

During the Cambodian Civil War, the Khmer Rouge with the support of North Vietnam and China managed to defeat the forces of the Khmer Republic and the United States, After the civil war, It was led to the Cambodian Genocide, one of the bloodiest moments in history.

Laos

During the Laotian Civil War, the Pathet Lao with the support of North Vietnam, China, and Romania managed to defeat the force of the Kingdom of Laos, the United States, and Thailand. After the communists took power in Laos They also established to Communist republic state. The Lao royal family were arrested by the Pathet Lao after the war and sent to concentration camps, where most of them died in the late 1970s and 1980s

India

Since 1967, various communist organizations in India (nicknamed Naxalites) have been waging a People's War against the Indian government. According to the Naxalites, they have the support of the poorest and most rural sectors of the country, although they have also been accused of attacking structures and using child soldiers.

North Korea

During the Korean War, North Korea tried to invade South Korea to reunify Korea under the communism regime led by Kim Il-Sung with the support of Workers' Party of Korea managed to defeat South Korea but failed due to United Nations saves South Korea for being invaded.

Peru

During the Internal Conflict of Peru, the terrorist organization Shining Path led by Abimael Guzmán started a people's war in the Peruvian highlands, assassinating the inhabitants who did not support their cause, and with the course of the conflict, they would start making attacks in the cities. After the 90s and the capture of Abimael Guzmán, the Shining Path has been reduced considerably, but there is still a narco-terrorist cell in the VRAEM.

Philippines

In the Philippines, the Communist Party of the Philippines, the National Democratic Front of the Philippines, and the New People's Army have been waging a people's war against the Philippine government.

Turkey

In Turkey, various communist and Maoist organizations such as the Revolutionary People's Liberation Party/Front have been carrying out a people's war against the Turkish government, mainly in the Tunceli region.

Thailand

In Thailand, An 18-year Communist insurgency was fought mainly by CPT and the government of Thailand. It was declined in 1980 following the declaration of an amnesty and by 1983 the CPT had abandoned the insurgency.

Nepal

During the Nepalese Civil War, the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) carried out a people's war against the monarchical government of Nepal, using guerilla warfare and gaining popular support. This insurgency would end in 2006, with the peace accords that made Nepal a republic, and the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) would lay down their arms.

Palestine

The Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, a Communist group operating under the jurisdiction of the Palestine Liberation Organization, believes that a people's war is the only way to establish a proper Palestinian state. Their aim, in their own words, is to create a people's democratic Palestine, where Arabs and Jews would live without discrimination, a state without classes and national oppression, a state which allows Arabs and Jews to develop their national culture.

Nicaragua

The Sandinista National Liberation Front waged a people's war in Nicaragua in their efforts to bring down Anastasio Somoza Deybale (and later in their fight against the Contras.) The organization gathered support from peasants and anti-Somoza elements within Nicaraguan society, as well as from the communist Cuban government, the socialist Panamanian government of Omar Torrijos, and the socialist Venezuelan government of Carlos Andrés Pérez.