What was the Reason for the Communists Victory over The Guomingdang in 1949 Essay Example

for all Chinese citizens. This sparked a lengthy and violent conflict between the two factions.

In 1927, Chiang Kai-shek initiated an anti-Communist campaign that was uncompromising towards supporters of Communism or opponents of the GMD. The GMD's control over most of China's cities allowed them to swiftly suppress any rebellions by peasants, resulting in hundreds of executions and killings.

During the GMD's reign, the treatment of people was brutal. In the streets, individuals were shot, men were drowned in order to save ammunition and peasants were hung in order to serve as an example to other revolutionaries. The GMD's ill-treatment of peasants made it difficult for them to break free. The tax burden on these individuals was tremendous, reaching up to 65% of their total income. With limited income, survival was challenging- especially during the famine from 1929 till 1932 when millions died and thousands were left without homes or support. Action became necessary, and by 1934, the GMD had dominion over nearly all of China.

The CCP was left with only four small bases situated in remote mountainous regions. The primary stronghold, Jiangxi located in the northern region, was surrounded by 700,000 troops led by Chiang in 1933. This siege held great importance for Chiang since he understood that if he were to triumph over Mao Zedong and the CCP there, it would essentially signify his victory in the war. However, despite being encircled and facing potential imprisonment, the individuals within the Jiangxi base persisted with their fight.

Although the base had surrendered, a group of 100,000 people - including men, women, and children - managed to flee on foot towards Shaanxi in northern China. The GMD army

followed them throughout their journey and eventually seized control of the surrendered base. However, only those who fled needed to be reprimanded by the GMD. Along the way, the group encountered multiple conflicts resulting in many casualties. According to CCP sources, approximately 30,000 Communist party members arrived in Shaanxi in October of 1935 after completing this arduous trek spanning roughly 6,200 miles - an event now known as the Long March. This journey marked an important moral achievement for the Communist party and yielded significant benefits for them in subsequent years.

During their journey, the Red Army traversed numerous rural communities. Rather than neglecting the peasants, they offered their aid by establishing educational institutions, teaching the farmers improved agricultural techniques, driving off landlords, and propagating the ideals of the CCP. This juncture marked a significant turning point in the struggle between the GMD and the CCP, as multitudes of peasants adopted CCP's principles and enlisted in the Red Army, viewing it as a means of improving their lives and reshaping China for the greater good.

The Communist uprising began here, as the Red Army grew and eventually became a force to reckon with against the GMD. By 1937, Mao Zedong assumed complete control of the CCP, leading to rapid growth for the Red Army and significant change in China. Despite having limited weaponry, the Red Army engaged in Guerrilla warfare rather than engaging the GMD directly, a tactic that proved to be life-saving.

The Communists utilized the land and surprise tactics to their advantage, even though they had fewer weapons compared to the well-equipped GMD. They initially used spears and sticks, but gradually acquired heavier weapons

such as tanks and heavy artillery as they became more skilled at ambushing the GMD. The Communists became adept at Guerrilla fighting and utilized their surroundings to their advantage, leaving the GMD unable to locate them. The GMD possessed superior resources, but were unable to engage an enemy that refused direct confrontation.

Chiang's grip weakened as the Communist's tactics proved successful. Cities were captured daily, and the people welcomed Mao and his army. In fact, locals even went as far as sabotaging railways to aid the Red Army. This support grew as people placed their faith in the CCP, a sharp contrast to their lack of trust in the GMD. Disillusioned soldiers began deserting Chiang's army, having no belief in their cause and feeling forced into fighting through the use of bribery, blackmail, and coercion. This was unlike the Communist's army.

The Communist party was motivated by their admiration for Mao and their conviction in the righteousness of their cause. Meanwhile, Japan was steadily infiltrating China, with Manchuria already under their control. By 1937, Japan was preparing for a complete takeover of China. Despite the urgency for both parties to unite against the common enemy, Chiang Kai-shek failed to act and remained passive despite the circumstances.

By allowing the Red Army to fight the Japanese, he believed that the Japanese would diminish their army and eventually enable the GMD to regain control of China. Unfortunately, this plan backfired. Moreover, the Japanese Army's strategies and approaches were extremely harsh and ruthless, as compared to other armies'.

The soldiers were given orders to burn, loot and kill any people they encountered, as capturing all the villages in China was

impossible due to lack of soldiers. Their objective was to destroy China. Despite this, the Red Army successfully eliminated the Japanese from China by 1944, which greatly contributed to their growing popularity.

The CCP's actions in China were appreciated by the people, who contrasted them with the GMD's indifference towards the Japanese destruction of their villages. Chiang Kai-shek's policies became increasingly unpopular as his failure to assist the peasants became evident; given that 95% of the population were peasants, his support dwindled. It was unlikely to have been foreseen 24 years prior, but by 1949, Mao had secured complete control over China via the Communist Party, whose commitment to peasants won them support and a promise for change.

The CCP's triumph over the GMD can be attributed primarily to Mao's charisma, resourcefulness, and unwavering support for the common people, having emerged from an analogous social background.

The belief was held that the peasants should lead any Communist revolution, and ultimately they did. Contrastingly, Chiang Kai-shek was characterized by deceit, cheating, and murder to attain his objectives. This personality trait of his led to the downfall of both him and the GMD as a successful political party cannot be led by such an individual.

The reason behind the GMD's abandonment by the people of China was the significant transformation that took place in the country since 1925. The conflict had ceased, a leader that was accepted by the populace had emerged, and the republic had been reunited. China was now stable, and the foremost task was to reconstruct its economy, which was entrusted to the CCP.