WWII: Revolutionary Chaos in China
By: Elizabeth Allen, Sierra Andres, and Barreca Durand
KEY POINTS/ MAIN CONCEPTS AND IDEAS
Sun Yat-Sen- Leader of the Chinese nationalists until his death in 1925, welcomed cooperation of Soviet Union
By the following spring, revolutionary forces took control of Chang Jiang, including the major river ports: Wuhan and Shanghai.
Chiang Kai-shek pretended the peace between the two parties but abandoned it in April 1927, by killing THOUSANDS in what was called the Shanghai Massacre.
Mao Zedong was another leader in the Communist party and he was convinced that a Chinese revolution would be driven by the people in poverty rather than the middle class.
Mao Zedong was the creator of the People’s Republic of China and he insisted that the Communist Party support peasant demands for land reform.
When Chaing Kai-Shek tried to wipe out the Communist parties led by Mao Zedong, he outnumbered them with an excessive surplus amount of men, however, Mao was more trained with his men in guerrilla tactics.
Mao’s army, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), broke the Nationalists lines and continued with their march.
This march caused major problems as it stretched over 6,000 miles; it started with 90,000 troops to only 9,000 men due to casualties.
Chiang had a plan that he would teach the Chinese people the stages of a real constitutional government, and in that time, the Nationalists would use their dictatorial power to carry out a land-reform program to modernize industry.
Chiang created a “New Life Movement”; their goal was to promote traditional Confucian social ethics, however, it rejected what was viewed as the excessive individualism and material greed of Western capitalist values.
Chiang’s success: undertook a massive road-blocking project, made a national bank, improved the educational system, & repaired and extended the railroad system as well.
Chiang did not press for programs that would lead to a redistribution of wealth sadly.
He also suppressed all opposition and censored free expression so, he alienated many intellectuals.
WHERE DID THIS TAKE PLACE?
Chang Jiang-the longest river of Asia; flows eastward from Tibet into the East China Sea near Shanghai.
Nanjing-Nanjing is the capital of Jiangsu province in eastern China and has a prominent place in Chinese history and culture, having been the capital of China on several occasions.
Sun Yat-sen
Leader of the Chinese nationalists until his death in 1925, welcomed cooperation of Soviet Union.
Chiang Kai-shek
Chiang Kai-shek-Leader of the Chinese nationalists; in April 1927, he pretended to be in alliance with the Communists but attacked them in the Shanghai Massacre. Shanghai massacre- In April 1927, Chiang Kai-shek pretended to support an alliance with Communists but killed thousands of them instead.
Mao Zedong
Mao Zedong- leader of the Communists against Chiang Kai-shek, believed the revolution depended on the peasants, not the working classMao Zedong- leader of the Communists against Chiang Kai-shek, believed the revolution depended on the peasants, not the working class.People's Liberation Army (PLA)- Mao's Communist army, rebelled against Chaing Kai-shek's nationalist forces, made effective use of guerrilla tactics, unexpected maneuvers like sabotage and subterfuge.
KEY TERMS
Redistribution of Wealth- The shifting of wealth from a rich minority to a poor minority.
Chinese Communist Party- A political group created in 1921 by several young radicals founded in Shanghai who are against the Nationalists.
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
1.Why did Sun Yat-sen welcome the communist as allies?