Chinese Civil War and VS

Long-Term Causes of Chinese Civil War Socioeconomic Conditions Political Fragmentation Ideological Differences

1 - Socioeconomic Conditions Rural poverty In 1930s, 85% of population were peasants No mechanization of agriculture Most peasants rented lands from warlords  70% of value of crops produced were paid as rent Urban poverty China’s industry grew, so higher urban population  Bad living and working conditions 20,000 deaths in Shanghai each year from disease & hunger  Trade unions Could not organize and played minimal role in helping working conditions

2 - Political Fragmentation The Qing Dynasty had been in power in China since 1644 Revolution of was a military revolt that led to the abdication of the last emperor, Pu Yi Sun Yatsen – First president of China Overthrew Qing Dynasty & established a republic Founded Guomindang (GMD) – Nationalist party

Formation of the Chinese Republic The people of China, under nationalist leader Sun Yatsen, demanded: Nationalism  End of foreign domination & influence  Reunification of China  Ethnic equality of all ethnic groups in China Democracy  Formation of a representative government People’s Livelihood  Some redistribution of land to peasantry  Government credit to the peasants  State support for old, sick and disabled

Republic of China: Weaknesses Disunity Local warlords fought Guomindang for control Wars raged between 1912 and 1928 Foreign imperialists Americans, Europeans, and Japanese Poor transportation 1914 – only 6,000 miles of railroad track  225,000 miles in the smaller United States Few decent roads

WWI & Treaty of Versailles In 1917, China declared war on Germany China believed by fighting for the Allies at the end of the war, territories controlled by Germany would be returned to the people of China Treaty of Versailles gave Japan the former German territory Led to the Fourth of May Movement Confirmed China’s subordination to foreign powers Some Chinese turned to Marxism GMD turned to national unity & democracy

The Communist Party in China Sun Yatsen appealed for Soviet aid following the Versailles Conference – China received advisors, arms, communist propaganda, and loans Russia revoked its imperialist rights in China Communist Party created Lead by former university assistant librarian Mao Zedong Challenged the authority of the Nationalists

Mao Zedong Emerged as the communist leader in China. Mao believed that communist success depended on gaining the support of the peasants. Student of Marxism, but differed in ideology

Chiang Kai-shek & the Nationalists After Sun Yatsen’s death in 1925, Chiang Kai-shek becomes the head of GMD Capital moved from Peiping (a.k.a. Peking, today’s Beijing) to Nanking (Nanjing) By 1928 Chiang Kai-Shek brought China under his control.

(First) United Front From 1924 to 1927, the Communist Party (CCP) and the Nationalists (GMD) worked together to eliminate the power of the warlords. However, fundamental differences between the CCP and GMD quickly surfaced

3 – Ideological Differences Nationalists Wanted to create a unified and independent China based on Sun Yatsen’s 3 principles  Nationalism  Democracy  Social reform Popular with the emerging middle class Nationalist Party did not cultivate a significant peasant base When it was in power, the Nationalists failed to deliver on their ideals

Ideology of the CCP The Communists also wanted a free and independent China However, the CCP wanted to restructure society on Marxist principles, most importantly collectively owned property Mao Zedong believed the restructuring would come after a class revolution led by the peasants. Known as Mao Zedong Thought or Maoism

Early Fighting Chiang Kai-Shek started a campaign against communists Had troops and armed gangs kill members of the Communist Party and union members on the city streets of Shanghai Called the White Terror or the Shanghai Massacre of 1927 In 1928 the US and Britain recognized Chiang Kai-Shek as president of China Soviet Union did not due to persecution of Communist Party in China

Jiangxi Soviet The communists who survived the White Terror regrouped and established bases in rural areas The most significant was the Jiangxi province in south-east China. It became known as the Jiangxi Soviet and was the home to the high-ranking CCP officials

Encirclement Campaigns The Nationalists attacked the Jiangxi Soviet with encirclement campaigns CCP forces countered with guerrilla tactics and held off the Nationalists through 4 campaigns from Nov March 1933 The Fifth encirclement campaign (Sept Oct. 1934) was successful The CCP evacuated their base at Jiangxi Soviet and went on the Long March

The Long March Approximately 90,000 CCP flee Jiangxi Began a 6,000 mile journey 11 provinces 18 mountain ranges 24 rivers Tens of thousands die due to Starvation Battle wounds Exposure to the cold Only 20,000 who started the Long March survived

Red Army soldiers marching part of the 6,000 miles Mao on the Long March

Communist leader addresses the survivors of the Long March Cave dwellings in Shaanxi Red Army troops crossing the snowy mountains

Nationalists in Government Chiang Kai-Shek ran the authoritarian government with key advisors During the Nationalist rule the economy grew, new railway track was constructed and the first commercial airline was opened However, the Nationalist government was corrupt, did not introduce democracy and ignored the peasant suffering

Japanese Invasion In 1931 Japan invaded Manchuria Chiang offered concessions to the Japanese (while still fighting the CCP) which undermined his support Chiang was detained by troops of one of his generals and was only released when he agreed to work with the CCP to fight the Japanese

Chinese Civil War: Japanese Invasion Time Out!!! The Civil War between the Nationalists and CCP armies was suspended Nationalists and Communists united to repel Japanese invasion The Second United Front TO BE CONTINUED AFTER WORLD WAR II… Japanese troops entering Shenyang