‘Winning popular support was the main reason why the Communists were able to establish the People’s Republic of China in 1949.
Level
A Level
Year Examined
2023
Topic
International history, 1945–92
👑Complete Model Essay
‘Winning popular support was the main reason why the Communists were able to establish the People’s Republic of China in 1949.
Winning Popular Support: A Key Factor in the Communist Victory in China (1949)
The assertion that winning popular support was the main reason for the Communist establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949 holds significant weight. While factors such as the shortcomings of the Nationalists and the role of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) were undeniably important, the Communist Party of China's (CCP) success in garnering widespread support, particularly among the peasantry, was crucial to their eventual triumph.
The CCP's appeal to the peasantry was rooted in its promise of land redistribution and liberation from oppressive landlordism. Mao Zedong, recognizing the numerical strength of the peasantry, strategically focused on addressing their grievances. Through the organization of "struggle meetings" (Spence, 2013), the CCP empowered peasants to publicly denounce landlords and seize their land, creating a vested interest in the CCP's success. This tactic not only garnered support but also eroded the traditional power base of the Nationalists, who drew much of their support from the landlord class.
Furthermore, the CCP's emphasis on discipline and respect for ordinary soldiers within the PLA contrasted sharply with the corruption and brutality often associated with the Nationalist army (Kuomintang or KMT). This difference is highlighted by accounts of KMT troops looting and terrorizing civilians, further alienating the population (Fairbank & Goldman, 2006). The PLA's reputation for just treatment and its effectiveness in combating the Japanese during World War II enhanced its image as a people's army, attracting recruits and garnering support.
However, focusing solely on popular support risks downplaying the significance of other factors. The CCP benefited from strategic advantages, including the acquisition of Japanese weaponry and control of Manchuria following World War II, courtesy of the Soviet Union (Meisner, 1999). These resources bolstered the PLA's military capabilities and provided a crucial advantage in the ensuing civil war. The CCP's military prowess was further enhanced by skilled commanders like Lin Biao, whose strategic acumen contributed significantly to key victories, including the Huaihai Campaign (Lew & Yung, 2009).
Additionally, the Nationalists' internal weaknesses under Chiang Kai-shek's leadership played a significant role in their downfall. The KMT was plagued by factionalism, corruption, and economic mismanagement, alienating many segments of Chinese society. Hyperinflation crippled the economy, eroding public confidence in the Nationalist government. This internal decay, coupled with the CCP's effective propaganda campaigns that exploited these weaknesses, further fueled popular support for the Communists (Westad, 2012).
In conclusion, while the CCP undeniably benefited from military advantages and the failings of the Nationalist government, its ability to mobilize the peasantry through land reform and cultivate a popular image of a disciplined and just army were paramount in securing victory. The CCP's success stemmed from a multifaceted strategy that combined military strength with astute political maneuvering that resonated deeply with the aspirations of a significant portion of the Chinese population. The establishment of the People's Republic in 1949 marked not just a change in regime but a fundamental shift in the balance of power, firmly rooted in the CCP's ability to win the hearts and minds of the Chinese people.
References
Fairbank, J. K., & Goldman, M. (2006). China: A new history. Harvard University Press.
Lew, C., & Yung, C. (2009). The Chinese Civil War, 1945–49. Osprey Publishing.
Meisner, M. (1999). Mao's China and After: A History of the People's Republic (3rd ed.). Free Press.
Spence, J. D. (2013). The search for modern China. W. W. Norton & Company.
Westad, O. A. (2012). Restless empire: China and the world since 1750. Basic Books.
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Introduction
Briefly state the essay's main argument. Acknowledge that while popular support was crucial for the CCP's victory, other factors like Nationalist weaknesses and international dynamics also played a significant role.
Body Paragraph 1: CCP's Appeal to the Peasantry
Explain how the CCP gained the support of the peasantry:
⭐Land redistribution policies and the promise of economic equality.
⭐Propaganda and "struggle meetings" that targeted landlord oppression.
⭐The CCP's image as a force for positive change and liberation from exploitation.
Body Paragraph 2: Military Strengths of the CCP
Discuss the key military advantages of the CCP:
⭐Strong, centralized leadership under Mao Zedong and skilled generals.
⭐Effective guerrilla tactics and popular support in rural areas.
⭐Soviet aid, including captured Japanese weaponry and control of Manchuria.
Body Paragraph 3: Weaknesses of the Nationalist Government
Analyze the internal issues that plagued the Nationalist government:
⭐Corruption, factionalism, and poor leadership under Chiang Kai-shek.
⭐Economic mismanagement, leading to inflation, unemployment, and unrest.
⭐Military weakness, low morale, and a reputation for brutality against civilians.
Body Paragraph 4: The Role of the United States
Examine the impact of U.S. involvement (or lack thereof):
⭐Limited U.S. support for the Nationalists due to concerns about corruption and public opinion against further intervention in China.
⭐The impact of U.S. aid on the outcome of the civil war.
Conclusion
Reiterate the argument that while popular support was essential for the CCP's victory, it was one of several factors. Briefly summarize the key points made in the essay and emphasize the complex interplay of factors that led to the establishment of the People's Republic of China.
Extracts from Mark Schemes
Winning popular support was the main reason why the Communists were able to establish the People’s Republic of China in 1949. Discuss this view.
The CCP was a powerful force among the peasants seemingly standing for democracy, freedom and individual liberty. Whenever the Communists secured an area during the civil war, Mao’s cadres organised village ‘struggle meetings’. Peasants and labourers, who owned little or no land, met to force wealthy landlords to confess their bad treatment of the poor. The cadres then cancelled all debts owed to the landlords and distributed their land and other property to the poor peasants and labourers. What they received became their own private property and they knew if the Nationalists won, they would lose everything. Therefore, they increasingly supported Mao Zedong who destroyed the traditional landlord power structure in the villages and replaced it with new peasant leadership under the control of the CCP. Their support for the People’s Liberation Army played a crucial role in the victory. It was unified under a tightly controlled central command.
In 1945 the USSR turned over all of its captured Japanese weapons to the CCP who also received Manchuria from the Soviets. Mao appointed loyal generals including Lin Biao and Zhu De whose tactics contributed greatly to the Communist success. The ordinary soldiers in the army were treated with respect. Large numbers of well-trained KMT deserted and joined the Communists who took full advantage of their skills. In June 1947, the Communists successfully defeated the KMT New First Army; they now had tanks and heavy artillery at their disposal. In 1948 they launched an attack south of the Great Wall that cut off Nationalist troops from their supply bases in Xi’an. They then secured the Southeast Central section of China and by the end of January 1949 most of China was in the hands of the Communists.
The shortcomings of the Nationalists also helped to secure a Communist victory. Chiang Kai-shek experienced difficulties leading China through the Second World War; the government and party he presided over consisted of different factions which he struggled to reunite. His government was weak and failed to save millions from being murdered by the Japanese. Civil war between the Nationalists and Communists erupted again in 1946 following the end of the war with Japan and the failure of a truce between the two sides. Chiang’s troops often turned and fled rather than face the enemy. His army also had a reputation for arrogance and cowardice and was accused of looting and stealing. He lost support in the cities because of heavy taxes, inflation, unemployment and food shortages. Economic discontent led to strikes and there were protests demanding an end to the civil war and the creation of a government that included the Communists. The Nationalists responded with repression including censorship, mass arrests and assassinations.
The Nationalists supported business and the landlords; they ignored the suffering of the peasants. However, the United States still hoped to maintain Nationalist China as an ally to stop the advance of communism even though they were aware of the corruption of Chiang’s administration. They increased their aid to the Nationalists, supplying aircraft and sending teams to Taiwan to train their troops but US public opinion was firmly against fighting a war in China. The United States limited their commitment in the area. Thus, the weakness of the Nationalists and the limited commitment of the United States to their cause placed the Communists in a strong position. The People’s Republic of China was proclaimed on 1 October 1949.