Mao’s rise to power

The CCP and Mao

History Rise and rule of single-party states Mao’s rise to power

Contents
Rise of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) ........................................................................................... 2
Beginnings ........................................................................................................................................... 2
GMD (Guomindang) and CCP – The First United Front (1923) ........................................................... 2
The Northern Expedition (1926) ......................................................................................................... 2
White terror (1927)............................................................................................................................. 2
Retreat of the CCP............................................................................................................................... 2
Mao ..................................................................................................................................................... 2
GMD .................................................................................................................................................... 2
CCP ...................................................................................................................................................... 3
Sino-Japanese war (1937-1945) .......................................................................................................... 3
CCP after 1945 .................................................................................................................................... 3
Civil War (1946-49) ................................................................................................................................. 3
Battle of Manchuria (1948) ................................................................................................................. 3
Battle for Tianjin and Beijing (1949) ................................................................................................... 3
The Huaihai campaign (1948-94) ........................................................................................................ 3

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History Rise and rule of single-party states Mao’s rise to power

Rise of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party)

Beginnings
- Founded in 1921.
- Mao was a founding member.

GMD (Guomindang) and CCP – The First United Front (1923)

- CCP worked with the GMD to establish a GMD government.
- First cooperation between the parties.
- Comintern provided financial support and military advice to both parties.
- Chiang Kai-shek became GMD leader (1925).

The Northern Expedition (1926)

- Joint GMD and CCP operation to rid the north of Warlords and establish authority.
- Led by Chiang Kai-shek.
- Warlords defeated or joined up with GMD.
- CCP’s military role was minor – they instead contributed to uprisings and strikes.
- Kai-shek becomes concerned about CCP’s growing power.

White terror (1927)

- Shanghai massacre of CCP members.
- Extended to other cities during the year.

Retreat of the CCP

- Membership of CCP dropped by 80% (1928).
- CCP sets up the Jiangxi Soviet (1928).
- Kai-shek attempts to destroy the CCP via military action (1930-34).
- CCP base captured in the fifth campaign (1934).
- CCP retreats to Yanan in the Long March – led by Mao and Enlai – 8000 miles (1934).

Mao
- Rose to prestige during the Long March.
- Mao favoured moderate land-reforms – more support from peasants.
- Mao eliminated rivals during the Futian Incident (1931).
- Mao chosen as Chairman of the Politburo in January 1935 during the Long March

GMD
- Failed to unite the people behind it, unlike the CCP.
- Reliant on military support - 80% of spending went on the army.

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History Rise and rule of single-party states Mao’s rise to power

CCP
- CCP had lower-class support – Peasant associations set up.
- CCP pulled through the white terror – showed strength
- Strong leadership.

Sino-Japanese war (1937-1945)

- Weakened the GMD considerably.
- CCP were more active in attacking the Japanese than the GMD.
- GMD left the economy in ruins – Hyperinflation.
- GMD lost the support of the peasants by requisitioning horses and equipment.

CCP after 1945

- The CCP remained united in Mao.
- The CCP adapted communism to Chinese conditions – *Sinifying communism*.
- CCP had much broader appeal.
- CCP expanded under recapture areas from the Japanese.
- Red Army was much better than the GMD’s army – The “Eight rules of conduct” guided
soldiers into good relations with the peasants.

Civil War (1946-49)

- War between the CCP and GMD for control of China.

Battle of Manchuria (1948)

- The Red Army (now PLA – People’s Liberation Army) under the leadership of Lin Biao
liberates the final 3 Manchurian cities under GMD control.
- GMD loses 500,000 of their best soldiers.

Battle for Tianjin and Beijing (1949)

- Lin Biao captures the cities of Tianjin and Beijing
- PLA storms Tianjin in January 1949
- Beijing surrenders a week later.

The Huaihai campaign (1948-94)

- Battle for four Northern provinces.
- PLA has help from peasant guerrillas.
- 500,000 GMD troops killed or captured.
- Many GMD troops absorbed into the PLA.

Defeat of the GMD (1949)

- Nanjing liberated in April 1949.
- Shanghai liberated in May.
- Mao proclaims the establishment of the People’s Republic of China (October 1st 1949).
- Chiang Kai-shek flees to Taiwan with remaining GMD and $300 Million (December 1949).