Why did China fall to Communism in 1949?

?
View mindmap
  • Why did China fall to Communism in 1949?
    • Mao's strengths
      • Japanese invasion '37 (start of WW2 for China)
        • Jiang's weaknesses
          • Jiang was a weak/bad leader
            • This was noted by US politicians who began to see him as a hopeless case
              • Meant they would not give full scale intervention
                • Also more focused on Europe and public wanted less fighting
            • Ignored corruption within his government
            • Allowed his troops to starve/be tied up to prevent desertion
              • Loss of support
                • Went back on a lot of promises he made that gained him upper and middle class support
                • Hyperinflation hit urban dwellers bad - they no longer liked Jiang
              • When they could, his troop would flee and join CCP (taking US equipment with them)
              • Military policy
                • High death rates (up to 70%)
                • Very low morale in '49 (many generals surrendered)
                • Poor strategy (e.g. '46, focused too many troops in battle in Manchuria)
            • Hyperinflationunder his leadership - unable to control chaotic economy
          • Loss of support
            • Went back on a lot of promises he made that gained him upper and middle class support
            • Hyperinflation hit urban dwellers bad - they no longer liked Jiang
          • Military policy
            • High death rates (up to 70%)
            • Very low morale in '49 (many generals surrendered)
            • Poor strategy (e.g. '46, focused too many troops in battle in Manchuria)
        • Mao and CCP were active in fighting against JPN
          • Shows nationalism (though they're not the nationalist party)
        • Shows Mao to be good military leader (gains support)
        • Jiang shows more concern over CCP than the Japanese
        • GMD would rather fight CCP than help regain their country (thats they should be leading)
          • Less nationalist than the CCP
        • CCP wishes to work with GMD to get rid of common enemy (GMD don't co-operate)
      • Huge gains in support
        • Shows Mao to be good military leader (gains support)
        • Understood the peasantry  so new what the wanted and needed
          • Communist ideology attractive (equal distribution of wealth etc.)
          • Peasantry consisted of 90% of population
        • This support of the peasantry is shown to be important in '49 when Mao is aided by 2 mil peasants at one of the last crucial battles
      • Military policy
        • Soldiers were told to help villagers not damage and molest (like GMD)
        • Effective guerilla warfare
        • Had fewer men but better strategy
        • Better generals with better tactics
          • Had fewer men but better strategy
      • A better leader
        • Social reforms for supporters
          • Education; women's rights; reduced taxes
        • More flexible in policies
          • Realises need for united support of all classes (treats them better)
        • Effective propaganda
          • Understood the people; nationalist; had fought JPN
    • Jiang's weaknesses
      • Jiang was a weak/bad leader
        • This was noted by US politicians who began to see him as a hopeless case
          • Meant they would not give full scale intervention
            • Also more focused on Europe and public wanted less fighting
        • Ignored corruption within his government
        • Allowed his troops to starve/be tied up to prevent desertion
          • When they could, his troop would flee and join CCP (taking US equipment with them)
        • Hyperinflationunder his leadership - unable to control chaotic economy

Comments

No comments have yet been made

Similar History resources:

See all History resources »See all Cold War resources »