Civil war - more Flashcards
(20 cards)
By August 1945, what territories did Japan hold?
Northern China, most of central China, much of the coastline and many of the cities. However, they were
waiting to surrender.
By August 1945, what territories did the GMD hold?
A larger area of southern and western China from their base in Chongqing, recognised as the legitimate Chinese government
By August 1945, what territories did the CCP hold?
Much of the northern and north-eastern countryside from their base in Yan’an.
How did the USA help the GMD in taking territory?
US aircrafts transported 500,000 GMD troops to northern China to fight the communists.
Which foreign powers wanted to avoid a civil war and how did they attempt to do so?
Both the USA and the USSR. The USA pressured Jiang and the USSR pressured Mao to hold peace talks in
October 1945 in Chongqing.
What did the CCP and the GMD agree in principle to (October 1945) (4 factors)?
1) A democratic political system with free elections and personal freedoms.
2) The release of political prisoners.
3) A unified military force.
4) Elections for a national assembly.
What was Stalin’s policy towards China after 1945 and why?
Stalin had no faith in the CCP in defeating the GMD, and did not want involvement in a civil war whilst
expanding in eastern Europe. However, as long as the CCP-GMD conflict continued, China would remain
weak to foreign intervention, which was to the advantage of the USSR.
How did Stalin help the CCP in Manchuria (2 factors)?
1) Stalin ordered that the huge stockpiles of weapons and ammunition taken from the Japanese by the Red
Army in Manchuria be handed over to the CCP.
2) He delayed the Soviet withdrawal from Manchuria to April 1946, giving the CCP time to establish a strong
presence in the countryside.
What was the Marshall Mission?
In December 1945, President Truman sent George Marshall to China to mediate, and in January 1946,
Marshall had a ceasefire and pressured Jiang into calling a political conference. At this conference, all of
China’s main political parties agreed upon a constitution.
not to be confused with marshall aid
How did Marshall force a ceasefire?
After the development of a battle for Harbin, the last CCP controlled Manchurian city, Marshall threatened
the withdrawal of US aid from the GMD, forcing Jiang to agree to a ceasefire.
Why was the ceasefire helpful for the CCP?
Although only 15 days, the CCP gained respite from GMD attacks, halting their advance in Manchuria,
allowing CCP forces to regroup.
How was US policy towards China inconsistent?
The USA wanted to prevent a civil war, however supplied Jiang with weapons in order to prevent a CCP victory
What was the size of the GMD army (August 1945)?
4.3 million men, with 6,000 artillery weapons.
What was the size of the CCP army (August 1945)?
880,000 men, with 600 artillery weapons.
How many bases did the CCP have in 1945?
19 bases.
What was the Chinese population in 1945?
Around 600 million.
Strengths of the CCP in 1946 (5)
1) gained 100,000 guns and many thousands of pieces of artillery from the Japanese stock-pile, made available from the USSR’s withdrawing from Manchuria
2) Although fewer in number, the CCP troops were far more disciplined, committed and motivated - 6 Main points of attention helped this (focused on troops paying for anything they damaged + avoiding the rape and pillage of Chinese communities)
3) Used a “rectification of conduct” campaigns to weed out enemies and establish loyalty
4) the CCP had 19 bases covering 95.5 million Chinese
5) Mao trusted his Generals like Lin Biao and delegated effectively
Weaknesses of the CCP in 1946 (3)
1) Lacked heavy military equipment - only had 600 artillery pieces, no air force
2) Only 900,000 troops (GMD had 2.7 million)
3) Even though 19 bases - this is still narrow by Chinese standards + they were limited the North of the Yangtze River and don’t include any urban centres
Strengths of the GMD 1946 (7)
1) Seen by the world as the legitimate rulers of China - given a permanent seat on the UN Security Council (1 of 5!) - strong international standing
2) Won back Taiwan (as a result of WW2) from the Japanese
3) Treaty of Friendship with USSR
4) US Aid - General Wedemeyer enabled America to airlift 110,000 troops in vital spots being surrendered by the Japanese
5) 10x as much artillery than the CCP
6) 2.7 Million soldiers - including 39 divisions newly trained and armed by the US
7) Tax collection methods of local officers were brutal - sometimes collecting it 10 years ahead.
Weaknesses of the GMD in 1946 (4)
1) Tax collection failed to reach central government - restricted GMD’s funds
2) Corruption in military officers - kept dead soldiers on the registers to get their wages + took over surrendered Japanese territory for their personal gain
3) Support reliant upon middle and upper classes in urban areas - alienated majority of the population (peasants in rural areas)
4) Troops were poorly trained + disciplined + raped + pillaged the Chinese populations to the extent that women blackened their faces and cut their hair to appear as men and avoid this
