Questions and Answers
When did the Long March occur?
16 October 1934
Why did the Long March occur?
Chiang Kaishek had launched his biggest extermination campaign against the Communists.
What were Seeckt's aims?
To stop all movement into and out of the Soviet, starving the Communists of food, fuel, weapons, etc.
How successful was the 'blockhouse strategy'?
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How did the Communists react to the situation?
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Did Otto Braun get his way?
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When did the Long March actually begin?
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What happened during the Long March?
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What was the reason for the losses during the Long March?
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How did Mao react during the Long March?
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Study Notes
The Long March Overview
- The Long March occurred on 16 October 1934.
- Initiated due to Chiang Kaishek's extensive extermination campaign against the Communists, marked by half a million troops surrounding the Jiangxi Soviet.
Objectives of Military Strategy
- Military adviser Seeckt aimed to halt any movement into and out of the Jiangxi Soviet.
- The strategy intended to starve the Communists of crucial resources like food, fuel, and weapons.
Impact of Blockhouse Strategy
- Seeckt's blockhouse strategy was highly effective, leading to a significant territorial loss for the Communists.
- By October 1934, the Red Army had lost over half its territory and suffered around 60,000 soldier fatalities, while the Guomindang (GMD) advanced steadily.
Internal Conflicts Within Communist Leadership
- Otto Braun, a representative of Soviet interests, criticized Mao Zedong's tactics as politically incorrect, advocating for direct confrontations with the GMD.
- Under Braun's direction, Mao was expelled from the Party's Central Committee, prompting the Red Army to adopt a more defensive strategy.
Consequences of Leadership Decisions
- The shift to Braun’s leadership resulted in significant casualties for the Red Army, with about 8,000 soldiers lost, compounded by supply issues due to the blockhouse encirclements.
The Beginning of the Long March
- On 16 October, approximately 87,000 Red Army soldiers commenced the retreat planned by Otto Braun.
Long March Experiences
- The Red Army took six weeks to break through blockhouse encirclements around Jiangxi.
- Major confrontation occurred at the Xiang River from 25 November to 3 December, resulting in over half of the soldiers perishing, leading to blame directed at Braun for the heavy losses.
Factors Contributing to Red Army Losses
- High casualty rates were attributed to heavy equipment burdens that hindered movement, alongside Braun’s linear strategy, making their movements predictable to the GMD.
Mao's Tactical Innovations
- Responding to the heavy losses, Mao introduced new tactics, collaborating with Zhu to implement a strategy involving a split army and a non-linear travel path, enhancing unpredictability in maneuvers.
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Description
Test your knowledge of the Long March that took place from 1934 to 1935. This quiz covers key events, figures, and reasons behind the historic journey of the Chinese Communists. Understand the circumstances leading to this pivotal moment in Chinese history.
