1. Ending the Chinese Civil War

2. Significance of Sino-Japanese War
1931, Japanese invasion of Manchuria
1936, Kidnapping of Chiang Kai-Shek by warlords
1937, Second United Front
Soviets had been hesitant to support the CCP
CCP gaining credibility
Mao master of propaganda at this time
GMD lost popular support due to failures, hesitancy

3. Second Stage 1946-1949 USA supporting GMD, Soviets now CCP
Both wanted a coalition government really, just no Japan
, GMD on the offensive
Greatly outnumbered the CCP, successful militarily in Manchuria
Political weaknesses continue though
Truces negotiated by the U.S.
, CCP on the offensive
Now called the People’s Liberation Army (PLA)
Increasing support in Manchuria, captured Japanese weapons

4. Strengths (CCP) and Weaknesses (GMD)
Guerilla warfare
Leadership and propaganda of Mao
Continued portrayal as champions of China
Spread of communism, education of the peasants and land reforms
Role of intelligence, spies in the GMD
GMD
Political ineffectiveness
Chiang Kai-Shek’s weaknesses
Corruption, disloyalty from lesser commanders
Rampant inflation, increased taxation, failures to provide food
Poor quality of troops, morale

5. Foreign Intervention USA Economic aid, transport of forces
Pressured Jiang into two crucial truces
Had become the Cold War in 1945
USSR
Military and economic aid
Help in Manchuria in 1947 was crucial
Initial support from Comintern had led to divisions and almost ended CCP
Backed both United Fronts
Stalin and Mao not friends
Japan
Invasion of Manchuria in 1931, then mainland China in 1937 led to the Second United Front and gains for Mao’s CCP (allowed Mao to portray himself as true defender of China)
Captured Japanese weapons in Manchuria would be key to CCP in 48-49
Germany
Military aid to the GMD in early stage, evidence in the 5th encirclement

6. Results Mao in power Chiang Kai-Shek and GMD flee to Taiwan
China becomes a part of the Cold War
On and off tension between China and USSR
Fears in the US on the rise

7. Paper 2 Practice