mao zedong thought (mzt) is a political thought and ideology that develops similarly to maoism. it is based around the theories, practices, and concepts developed by the communist party of china (cpc) and mao zedong, whom was chairman of the communist party of china until his death in 1976. it separates from maoism due to differences with marxism–leninism–maoism. mao zedong thought is an application of marxism and leninism through marxism–leninism in china. mzt was the driving force behind the cultural revolution from 1966 to 1976.