Civil war overview Flashcards
When was the Chinese Civil war?
1 August 1927 – 7 December 1949
What were the 5 main phases of the war? When were they?
Struggle for Manchuria (1946-1947)
The strongpoint offensive (1947)
The Liaoshen campaign (1948)
The Hauihai campaign (1948 - 1949)
The Pngjin campaing (1948 - 1949)
Why did the Soviet Union join the war against the Japanese?
The Soviet Union joined the war against the Japanese for the purpose of taking control of Manchuria as a consequence of the Yalta conference of February 1945. Once there, the Soviet stripped the land of $2 billion worth of plant and machinery.
Why did Chiang sign the Sino-Soviet Treaty of Friendship (1945)?
Chiang signed the Sino-Soviet Treaty of Friendship 1945 under the pretext that the Soviets would recognise him as the only legitimate authority in China. Additionally, Chiang hoped that the Soviets would drive out the communists, given that Stalin didn’t favour the idea of Mao taking control of all of China, as this would make him a formidable international international rival.
Why did the USSR and Stalin not fully support the Chinese Communists?
The USSR and Stalin did not fully support the Chinese Communists because they saw them as international rivals, should they come to power over all of China.
Why did the US abandon their role as mediators between the GMD and CCP?
The US realised the depth of difference between the two parties and likey thought it too futile to try and bring them together.
Describe the reaction of the peasants to the Civil War
Some peasants in the civil war formed armed units to protect themselves against both parties who stole, beat, raped and murdered them. They identified more strongly with their small village more so than the whole of China on a national scale, likely in revolt of the arbitrary killings that took place.
Why is there a sense that “the Chinese Civil War was not ended”?
The Chinese Civil War has a sense of perpetual ongoing war. No peace treaties have been signed between mainland China and Taiwan, which still to this day seem to be on the verge of active warfare.
Make a list of reasons why negotiations broke down between the GMD and CCP
The two parties couldn’t come to an agreement
They both wanted to control China
The Communist didn’t believe that the Nationalists would uphold its promise to all the Nationalist to retain the the regions that they held
Mistrust between the two parties
How did America’s request for a ceasefire inadvertently assist the CCP in asserting control in Northern China?
The ceasefire assisted the CCP by giving them the ability to strengthen their position and wipe out Nationalists’ gain in the region.
What were Chiang kai-shak’s (Jiang Jieshi) hopes about continued Japanese resistance?
Chian Kai-shak’s hopes regarding continued Japanese resistance was that it would lead to Us troops landing in China, taking out both Japanese and communist forces, leaving him as “…master of China”.
Explain why Chiang kai-shek was unable to assert Nationalist authority throughout China after the Japanese defeat?
Chiang kai-shek was unable to assert Nationalist authority throughout China after Japanese defeat due to Soviets occupying parts of Manchuria and a lack of troops in communist occupied territory. Additionally, the Japanese formally surrendered their territory to the communist, rather than the nationalist which essentially gave land to the communists, not Chiang kai-shek. Thus, the communists had authority in these regions.
Outline the differences between Mao’s and Chiang’s policy on Japanese surrender?
Mao issued his officers to occupy formally held Japanese regions
Chiang requested Japan to maintain order and discipline until the nationalist troops arrived.
How and why did the US assist the GMD in transporting troops around China?
The US didn’t want the soviet army in Manchuria
Large airlift of troops
How did The Observer newspaper assess the USSRs abandonment of the Chinese Communist Party?
The newspaper assessed the USSRs abandonment of the Chinese Communist Party as an action done to capitalise on China, economically and territorially.
