Podcast
Questions and Answers
What was the primary reason for the Communist escape from the Jiangxi Soviet?
What was the primary reason for the Communist escape from the Jiangxi Soviet?
Which strategy did Mao Zedong prioritize over strict Marxist doctrine?
Which strategy did Mao Zedong prioritize over strict Marxist doctrine?
What role did German military advisors play in the GMD's actions against the Communists?
What role did German military advisors play in the GMD's actions against the Communists?
How did the encirclement campaigns impact the Jiangxi Soviet's situation?
How did the encirclement campaigns impact the Jiangxi Soviet's situation?
Signup and view all the answers
What marked the beginning of the Long March?
What marked the beginning of the Long March?
Signup and view all the answers
What was a major consequence of the harsh conditions during the Long March?
What was a major consequence of the harsh conditions during the Long March?
Signup and view all the answers
What was Mao Zedong's position within the Communist Party during the Long March?
What was Mao Zedong's position within the Communist Party during the Long March?
Signup and view all the answers
Which geographic feature posed a significant challenge for the marchers during the Long March?
Which geographic feature posed a significant challenge for the marchers during the Long March?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the GMD's strategy to weaken the Communists in the Jiangxi Soviet?
What was the GMD's strategy to weaken the Communists in the Jiangxi Soviet?
Signup and view all the answers
What aspect of Mao's ideology clashed with the traditional Marxist approach?
What aspect of Mao's ideology clashed with the traditional Marxist approach?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Learning Objectives
- Understand the reasons for the Communist Long March
- Understand the events of the Long March
- Understand the importance of the Long March
The Jiangxi Soviet and the GMD Encirclement Campaigns, 1927-34
- Chiang launched the White Terror, forcing the Communists to hide in the Jingang Mountains
- They organized the Jiangxi Soviet.
- Mao developed a communist version relying on peasants as the revolutionary force.
- Mao disagreed with Comintern advisers who focused on the proletariat.
- He focused on winning peasant support, positioning him well for party leadership.
- The Jiangxi Soviet was successful but constantly threatened by the GMD.
- German military advisers advised Chiang to surround and contain the Red Army.
- This forced the Reds into a smaller and smaller area, limiting access to resources.
- Chiang used aerial bombing, making survival impossible without a change of tactics.
- In October 1934, the Communists (80,000-100,000) escaped the Jiangxi Soviet, beginning the Long March.
Causes of the Long March
- Lack of resources: The constant GMD attacks, encirclement, and push into increasingly smaller areas depleted the Reds' resources and made survival impossible in Jiangxi.
- Strategic Shift: The GMD's approach prevented the long-term survival of the Red Army. The Communists needed to relocate and regroup to find a safe haven, with a new strategic plan.
The Events of The Long March
- The Communists started their journey, unaware of the actual destination.
- The GMD relentlessly pursued them, leading to battles across various cities and urban areas.
- Otto Braun, a Comintern advisor, initially pushed for a fight using urban cities tactics, eventually leading to heavy Red Army losses.
- The Zunyi meeting, in January 1935, marked a shift in leadership.
- Mao Zedong and Zhu De took control.
- Improved strategies including force division/regrouping and surprise tactics to escape the GMD.
- The route's challenges included mountains, rivers, and deserts.
- The crossing of the Yangtze River and the Dadu River (using chains to cross) caused a severe challenge.
- Thousands died from hunger, drowning, or freezing.
- Only about 10,000 of the original 80,000 marchers reached Yanan in October 1935.
Difficult Part of the Long March
- The freezing marshlands of Gansu, lacking food, and spreading diarrhea.
- Survival was challenging without enough food, as it was needed to sustain energy.
- Some survived by scavenging grains from dead comrades.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Related Documents
Description
This quiz explores the significance and events of the Communist Long March, emphasizing the struggles of the Jiangxi Soviet amid GMD encirclement campaigns from 1927 to 1934. Understand the strategic importance of peasant support and Mao's leadership during this critical period in Chinese history.
