Aim: Analyze the Civil War Between the Nationalists & the Communists

Communists vs. Nationalists WWII, China fought on the side of the Allies Japan’s armies devastated most of China Civilian deaths ranged between 10-20 million 1945: Opposing Chinese armies faced one another Bitter civil war was ranging between the Nationalists & the Communists when the Japanese invaded China in 1937 2

World War II in China Under leader, Mao Zedong the Communists had a stronghold in Northwestern China Mobilized peasants for guerrilla war against the Japanese Communists won the peasants’ loyalty 1945: Communists controlled much of Northern China Nationalists forces under Jiang Jieshi dominated SW China Gathered army of 2.5 million men 1942-1945: US sent the Nationalists $1.5 billion in aid Supplies & money ended up in hands of corrupt officials Jiang’s army fought few battles against Japanese Nationalist army saved strength for Mao’s Red Army 3

Civil War Resumes 1946-1949: Civil war lasted Nationalists had the advantage Army outnumbered the Communists Nationalist forces did little to win popular support China’s economy collapsed Thousands of Nationalist soldiers deserted to the Communists Spring 1949: China’s major cities fell to the well-trained Red forces Oct 1949: Mao Zedong gained control of the country Proclaimed it to the People’s Republic of China Mao Zedong’s victory fueled US anti-Communist feelings & fear that it was another step for Communism to takeover the world 4