Mao Zedong Notes

History: The top 2 % 2013 Origins and Developments of Authoritarian and Single party states China : Mao Zedong By Tara Subba  ORIGINS th 19 century: * China fallen behind the West in the development of technology (particularly in weapons). * Foreign companies were building railways, factories, mines and ports to exploit China's natural resources. 1920s * Desire for a strong and united China, free of foreign interference. * Choice between 2 political parties: The Guomindang (GMD) Backed by: wealthy businessman, landlords, and the creation of a new National Revolutionary Army (NRA). 3 principles: * Nationalism * Democracy * People's livelihood The Communist party of China (CPC) Heavily influenced by Russian advisers (Comintern) Tension 1927--1937: Nationalist government (Chiang Kai--Shek) aimed to eradicate the Communist Party -- impose a dictatorship 1937: * The long March = Communists confined largely to the area around Yan'an. * Japanese invasion = Cessation of hostilities between Nationalists and the Communists. However Chiang unwilling to accept the Communists as partners in the struggle against the Japanese.  Conditions that produced autocratic and single party states Entry of USA and Britain into the Second World War in the Far East Japanese navy launched attack on the American fleet at Pearl Harbor (Hawaii) British bases in Singapore and Hong Kong were attacked and captured Events * America supplied Chiang's armies with weapons and ammunition * American built airbases in China to launch bombing raids on Japan * 1944: Japanese started the Ichigo offensive aimed to capture American bases Consequences * Chiang's government in Chongqing still recognized by foreign powers as the legitimate government of China. * Civil War: Beginning of a struggle for control over China -- Communists vs. Nationalists The Civil War (1946--49) : A Communist victory During 1945--46, nationalist forces drove the Communists out of their base areas. From a military perspective, the Nationalists had the best chance of winning the Civil War. However, there were political and military factors that strengthened the communists' position. Focus on: * Strengths and weaknesses of the Guomindang (GMD) * The political and military strengths of the Communist party * The impact on the people of communist discipline and land reforms * Reasons for communist victory and the role of Mao Zedong Strengths and weaknesses of the Guomindang (GMD) Strengths of the Guomindang Military * Army larger and better equipped than communist forces at the beginning of the civil war * Air force to provide troops on the ground with aerial support (strategists believed this to be crucial in modern warfare) * Although unsuccessful against Japan, troops gained fighting experience for conventional battles that communists lacked. Weaknesses of the Guomindang * Nationalist troops poorly trained * Low on morale * Lacked discipline * When taking over areas formerly controlled by Communists, nationalist troops gained a reputation for brutality and ill discipline among local populations who were terrorized into submission. * Heavy losses against Japan severely weakened nationalist armies Results of Ichigo offensive: * Nationalist weakness exposed Chines forces gave up position without a fight * Morale was low Troops unpaid, unfed and unfit and lacked basic training and equipment * Corrupt officers Stole money intended for pay and supplies. Chiang did not act decisively to remove incompetent officials 1941: Chiang launched attack vs. Communist forces (South) Military setback for Communists but gained politically * Portrayed Chiang focused on dividing the national * Communists were presented as the true Chinese patriots focused on challenging the Japanese. Territorial control * More than Communists; controlled China's largest cities, most of the railway networks and main waterways * 'Control' not complete; Warlords not defeated by the Guomindang and remained in control over their own areas whilst the Nationalists were in charge of the central government. * Lack of effective control = weakened Nationalist ability to mobilize the whole nation in support of their struggle. Foreign support * GMD government recognized by foreign powers as the legitimate government of China. * America supplied military equipment and airlifted nationalist troops in 1945 so they could be in a position to accept the Japanese surrender. Support of the population * GMD's 3 principles: Nationalism, democracy and people's livelihood -- attracted widespread support for the party in the 1920s--30s among the middle classes. * Dependence on foreign support undermined the GMD and Chiang's claim to be the true defender of national interest. * Allies grew critical of Chiang's government and personal failings - Joseph Stilwell (American general who was sent to China during WWII to liaise with the Nationalists) " Chiang same as ever: a grasping, bigoted and ungrateful little rattlesnake" * Did not deliver its 3 promises; support ebbed away * Failed to defend national interest; created a dictatorial regime; done little to improve the livelihood of people * GMD as a party stood aloof from soviet - did not try to build mass support. * Instead, regime depended on financial backing of wealthy businessmen, landlords and on the ruthlessness of the secret police. * Common practices to maintain Chiang's one--party state: assassinations of political opponents, torture and execution of suspected communists without trial. Regime: Corruption and inefficiency * Corruption and inefficiency: Local officers abused their powers - enriched themselves by taking bribes and extorting money (tax) from local people a? government forced to borrow heavily; permanently in debt. * Regime was weak and divided by factional rivalry: Chiang could not delegate power to his subordinates. He tried to control what his commanders on the battlefields were doing even though Emergence of the CPC: Support Strengths of the Communist Party (CPC) / Reasons for Victory * PLA strategies o Military factors o Broadening the base for communist support * Nationalist weakness o Military errors o Economic mismanagement * CPC focused on support among the poorest peasants believed to be the most revolutionary. Strategy focused on 2 elements: o Discipline o Land reforms * Support form the peasants Crucial to the success of any political party in an overwhelmingly rural society * Role of foreign powers o American support for the Nationalists o Soviet assistance to the Communists o Indirect American help to the Communists * Mao's leadership o Cult of Personality o Flexibility to gain support from different power bases PLA strategies: Military factors Experience * In the war against the Japanese, Communists troops gained valuable experience for fighting conventional battles against numerically superior forces. Guerilla warfare * Effective against Japan. * Was to be equally successful against the Nationalists in Manchuria, an area geographically suited for this method of warfare due to hilly terrain and large forested areas. * Fought a campaign of surprise attacks against the enemy's weakest pints - 'wear and tear' tactic to eliminate nationalist forces one by one, thereby gradually reducing their numerical advantage. * Dominated rural areas and struck vital communications routes e.g. railway lines whilst GMD forces were isolated in their city strongholds. Military leadership 1954: Mao's military commander, Lin Biao, successfully transformed the PLA into a conventional army. PLA increased strength a? a formidable fighting force by: * Absorbing much of the army of the Manchukuo puppet government in Manchuria. * New recruits from peasant supporters. * Nationalist units that surrendered in the latter stages of the civil war. * Intensive training in the use of weapons captured form the enemy. * Political indoctrination of the troops at large rallies. * Lin Biao's offensive strategy a? victory in Manchurian and later in northern, central and finally southern China. PLA strategies: Broadening the base of communist support * Heavily peasant--based * During the course of struggle against the Japanese and the Nationalists, the party broadened the base of its supporters Look at 'Military leadership' above . Latter stages of the war: * CPC had limited support in large cities * Communists infiltrated trade unions in large industrial cities (Shanghai) - used to undermine GMD by organizing strikes. * Adept at attracting support through a variety of means to spread communist propaganda: o * Officials effective in preventing crime, controlling the distribution of scare food supplies and introducing a fair system of taxation. * Efforts praised by both foreign and Chinese observers. Newspapers / films/radios 

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