ANALYZING MAPS – CHINESE CIVIL WAR Homework samples

Student Response Model Answer based on the Map There were so many different warlords fighting constantly. The chance of agreement between all of them was not very big at all. A united China was impossible because the country was separated by the ruling of different warlords – who did not want to give up power. A total of 7 warlord coalitions dominated China (including the capital of Beijing) leaving the Nationalists outnumbered with 2 small sectors in the south. It would be difficult for the Nationalists to drive aggressively north into the face of overwhelming numbers. 1. Why was a united China impossible?

Student Responses Model Answer based on the Map Chiang thought he had a chance to unite China because he was in control of a significant piece of coastal land. He also knew that taking down individual warlords and their armies would be fairly easy because none of them would help each other and he could pick them off gradually one by one. The Nationalists thought that it was possible to unite China because Chiang had direct rule on China near the coast along with semi- autonomous and warlord coalitions all over China. This will make them influenced to obey the Nationalists. The map showed that the number of warlord coalitions had increased from 7 to 13 from This indicates that the coalitions were breaking up into smaller groups- an obvious weakening of control. In addition, the Nationalists were able to establish direct rule over the middle ground of the central east Chinese coast. This would enable them to trade for additional supplies. The southwest warlord coalitions in Yunnan and Sichuan also were weakening since they had several areas of disputed territory within their spheres of influence. 2. Why did the Nationalists believe that they had a chance to unite China?

Student Responses Model Answer based on the Map The Nationalist strategy to defeat the Communists was to kill major groupings of soviets and continue this in one direction – driving survivors out. Those that lived through the initial attack would then run to other groups – which the Nationalists probably planned to take out next. The idea for the nationalists was to throw the CCP off guard by going to attack farther away other than in the predicted pattern. They thought this might be an effective strategy because the nationalists were using the element of surprise by attacking an outlying country. The Nationalist strategy was to eliminate soviets by driving south along the coast to push them into the interior of China. This can be seen on the map with the elimination of four soviets. This resulted in a large southern soviet located near Chongking to move west to avoid a confrontation. Pushing these groups west would put pressure on them to find resources outside of the fertile Eastern corridor. The remaining 4 soviets then pushed north toward Beijing which meant colder temperatures – again having consequences for acquiring resources. From an initial number of 8 soviets, the Nationalists could then focus on the 4 remaining ones. As soviets were eliminated they would naturally need to bunch together for survival, narrowing the group of targets for the Nationalists. 3. What was the Nationalist strategy to defeat the Communists led by Mao?

Student Responses Model Answer based on the Map Mao and Chiang decided to work together after Japan launched an attack in order to take over land in China for their own country. Even though Mao and Chiang didn’t see eye to eye, they knew they would have to work together to help China since they both had a large group that obeyed and followed them. The two decided to work together because Japan was mostly a naval power. The two combined Communists and Nationalists could overpower and take out the enemies on land. The Japanese occupied two-thirds of the coast of China including the capital city of Beijing. In addition, the Japanese had five areas of control along the southeast coast of China including the important trade port of Hong Kong. This positioning would significantly block China’s ability to get supplies and/or receive intervention from outside powers. The only option for Chiang and Mao would be to join forces so that China would be strong enough to take on a foreign power that was in control of almost 1/3 of the eastern corridor. 4. Why did Mao and Chiang decide to work together ?

Student Responses Model Responses based on the Map The CCP decided to attack the Nationalists right after WW2 because they established home bases throughout China. With those home bases they could access supplies and spread out their troops without the fear they wouldn’t be safe. Mao’s forces attacked the Nationalists right after the collapse of the Japanese because there was absolutely no control and there was an opportunity to seize power. Also, the Nationalists just finished fighting and weren’t ready to take control. Communist bases not only surrounded the capital city of Beijing but were also strategically located in consistent pockets from Beijing all along 2/3s of the important east coast. In addition, a substantial base was located to the west at Yan’an. This even scattering of Communist bases would enable Mao to apply even pressure, from the east, west and north on the Nationalists and possibly join bases to increase combat strength. 5. Why did Mao’s forces attack the Nationalists immediately after the collapse of Japanese forces?