Mao Zedong and the Origins of Communism in China: Lots o’ fun stuff like wars and massacres

Kuomintang Originally formed by Sun Yat-sen (also called Sun Yixian) to oppose imperial rule in China Overthrew the last dynasty (Qing) and established the Republic of China Three principles: Nationalism, Democracy, and Economic Security Republic was unstable and various warlords seized power Kuomintang reformed a govt. in the south Civil war with Warlords in the North

Communist Party Origins go back to angers about imperialism after WWI and dissatisfaction with the Kuomintang - Communism seemed to offer an answer - May 4 th Movement Formed by Mao and other young intellectuals in Initially allied with the Kuomintang - Grew disillusioned with Kuomintang after death of Sun Yat-sen

What does their appearance suggest about the way in which they wished to be viewed? What does this have to do with their political points of view?

Shanghai Massacre 1927 Chiang Kai-shek (Jiang Jieshi) took power in the Kuomintang after Sun died - Mistrusted Communists Communists took Shanghai from the warlords Gave it to the Kuomintang Kuomintang killed hundreds, perhaps thousands, of communists and union members in Shanghai - attempt to preemptively wipe out the communist party Even worse massacres followed in Guangzhou and Changsha

Civil War Prior to WWII Mao Zedong and a few other important communist leaders survived the purges - Who will support the communists and who the nationalists? Mao started a guerilla war against Chiang About 100,000 communists vs. 700,000 Kuomintang

The Long March Actually a series of marches - Outnumbered communists fled nationalist forces Largest one came after Chiang surrounded Mao's mountain stronghold - fled miles over the course of a year - numbers went from about 100,000 to 10,000 - many stories of heroism in the face of superior odds Mao's leadership let him more firmly establish his leadership

During WWII Civil war was suspended when Japan invaded Mao organized a guerilla war against the Japanese occupiers Chiang had a secure base in the south but did relatively little - gathered an army of over 2.5 million that he did not use - probably saving his strength for the communists

After the War Chiang had larger force but less popular support - many nationalist soldiers actually deserted to join communists Communists were experienced in guerilla warfare Chiang eventually fled to Taiwan with his army - Leads to two Chinese governments, both claiming legitimacy Communist China expanded into tibet and mongolia Communists claimed a new mandate of heaven Began trying to industrialize China