Emergent Nationalism in Asia The Rise of Chinese Communism
Jan 02, 2016
In this lesson we examine:• The background to the 1911
Revolution • The rise of Chinese Communism• The results of the Chinese Civil War of
1927-1950
OVERVIEW
China at the beginning of the 20th century was marked by several
significant political, economic and social features
The 1911 Revolution
Low standard of living:• Large gap in wealth between elite
and peasantry• Opportunities for education were few
• In October 1911, Dr. Sun Yat Sen, a foreign-educated lawyer, led a revolution to overthrow the Manchu emperor, Pu Yi.
• In 1912, Sun and his party, the Kuo Ming Tang (KMT) declared the creation of the Republic of China.
• By the end of 1912, General Yuan Shi Kai, originally president of the new republic, declared himself emperor and seized power.
• From 1912-1926, China was divided among warlords while the KMT attempted to rebuild support from southern China.
• In Shanghai, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) was founded in 1921 and was heavily supported by the USSR.
• In 1923, both the KMT and CCP formed a ‘united front’, and launching a Northern Expedition in 1926 to unite China.
The Rise of Chinese Communism
By 1927, the KMT and the CCP controlled most of southern China. The KMT then launched a purge against the
CCP, driving them into a retreat (the “Long March”) from southeast China
towards the central province of Shanxi. Why did the KMT turn on the CCP?
• Generalissimo Chiang Kai Shek (Jiang Jie Shi), leader of the KMT, wanted no power sharing with the CCP
• Major KMT supporters, such as landowners and merchants, were against the socialist goals of the CCP
After the Japanese invasions of Manchuria in 1931, the KMT was forced to unite with the CCP in 1936 against Japan. What strategies did each side
employ during this time?
The Chinese Civil War
Chiang and the KMT preferred to hold
back men and resources in
preparation for fighting the CCP
The CCP preferred to fight Japan in order to gain popular support
After Japan was defeated in WWII, the KMT and CCP fought for control of China. Despite US military and financial support, the KMT was militarily defeated in 1949 and forced to retreat onto the island of
Taiwan. What major factors accounted for the communist victory?
• Nationalist appeal: the CCP had fought against Japanese foreign invasion
• Efficient organization: the CCP used propaganda effectively to mobilize the peasantry
• Ideologically moderate: the CCP initially welcomed internal debate and accepted compromises