Lesson 2- What Was The Impact Of The Civil War? Flashcards
1
Q
Who were the NRA?
A
National Revolutionary Army of the Guomindang (GMD)
2
Q
What was the Left GMD and the Democratic League?
A
Made up of breakaway Nationalists who despaired (to lose hope) of Chiang’s leadership and the GMD’s policies.
They wanted a compromise settlement with the CCP.
3
Q
Define Nepotism
A
Giving position and special favours to cronies (a close friend or companion) and family members.
4
Q
Define inflation
A
a fall in the value and purchasing power of money
5
Q
What are South and North Dynasties?
A
A reference to the partition of China during civil wars of the fifth and sixth centuries AD
6
Q
What was the main reason that the Civil War began?
A
Began with the GMD’s attempt to seize Manchuria in 1946
7
Q
Why was Manchuria important?
A
Manchuria was an important region due to its rich natural resources including coal, fertile soil, and various minerals.
8
Q
When was the Civil War?
A
1946-49
9
Q
Who was the leader of the GMD after 1925 and during the Civil War?
A
Chiang Kai-Shek
10
Q
What did Chiang do when he accepted defeat?
A
He transferred his remaining forces to the island of Taiwan
11
Q
What did Chiang do in Taiwan?
A
Began the construction of a separate Nationalist state.
12
Q
How did Mao eventually dominate central and southern China?
A
The PLA pushed out from its northern bases in China and built up momentum
13
Q
When was Mao in a position to claim total victory and to declare the birth of a new Communist nation, the PRC?
A
By October 1949
14
Q
How many troops did the NRA have compared to the PLA?
A
5 million outnumbered those of the PLA by over four to one
15
Q
Who did Chiang receive millions of dollars worth of military equipment from?
A
USA
16
Q
What were the 9 weaknesses of the GMD?
A
1.Internal divisions
2.Unpopularity
3.Strategic errors
4.Losing ‘the struggle for the hearts of the people’
5.The GMD’s political failings
6.The GMD’s failure to win the localities
7.Limited base of the GMD’s support
8. The GMD’s economic failings
9. The NRA’s conscription methods
17
Q
What were high ranking officers of the GMD doing?
A
Passing information to the CCP
Chiang could never really rely on his supporters
A problem Mao did not have
18
Q
What splits occurred in the GMD ranks?
A
rival factions opposed to Chiang , such as the Left GMD and the Democratic League
19
Q
What did Chiang acknowledge had happened to the morale of the GMD?
A
He acknowledged that the morale had become ‘cripplingly low’
20
Q
Because Chiang was unable to sustain a genuinely popular following among the people, what did he resort to?
A
Coercion -persuasion through force
21
Q
What methods of coercion did Chiang resort to?
A
-Property was seized
-Money was expropriated (seized)
-Enforces were enlisted (stole/intimidated to gain support)
-Protesters were arrested in large numbers
-Summary executions (when a person is killed without a trial) became commonplace
22
Q
What did Shanghai witness in August 1948?
A
Particularly bloody scenes, including street-corner beheadings and shootings by government troops.
23
Q
What were the consequences of the GMD terror?
A
Alienated (experiencing or inducing feelings of isolation/withdrawment) the Nationalists
Diminished band of supporters
Dismayed their foreign sympathisers, most significantly, the Americans
24
Q
Why do military historians emphasise that Chiang’s basic military failing was his eagerness to establish a grip on Northern China?
A
These were the areas where the Nationalists were at their least influential
25
How did Chiang sacrifice the advantage that his greater resources initially gave him?
He rushed his armies into Manchuria in the hope of a quick victory over the CCP.
26
What strategic error did Chiang make when it came to appointing commanders?
Chiang appointed commanders according to their personal loyalty to him (nepotism) rather than their military skills
27
what did the Communists prove adept (very skilled) at winning?
What Mao called the 'struggle for the hearts of the people)
28
What are the Three People's Principles?
Created by Sun Yat-Sen (previous leader of GMD)
They can be summarised as nationalism, democracy, and the livelihood of the people.
29
Because of what did Mao claim an understanding of and sympathy with the masses of the Chinese peasantry?
The GMD corruption and their dependence on US aid
30
who was, ironically, better positioned to fulfill the 'Three People's Principles'?
CCP
31
What did the land policy which CCP put in place do?
Seize property off of landowners and redistribute amongst peasants.
32
How could you describe the CCP's land policy?
As much expedient (convenient despite immoral) as it was idealistic
33
How did Mao change the land policy to gain maximum support?
-In areas where it paid to be moderate in order to win support of the local gentry, the CCP was quite prepared to recognise landowners' rights
-In areas where there was no such gain to be made, the peasants were encouraged to seize the land and publicly degrade (disrespect) its former owners.
34
Why could Chiang not use the CCP's repressive policy to is advantage?
His own regime was equally repressive
35
What was the GMD's record in government?
One of incompetence (do not know what they are doing) and self-seeking
36
what were the GMD's attempts at reform seen as by the contemporaries (peer) ?
Unimpressive
37
How did the CCP use the GMD's political failings to their advantage?
Made capital out of this by portraying themselves as essentially different
-Their initial willingness to co-operate with the GMD despite its murderous attitude towards them, suggested a high degree of selflessness
38
What did Chinese leaders, since imperial days find difficult?
To maintain their authority in the regions
39
What happened as a result of China being so large?
Communications were slow
40
What were the customary ways to solving a problem?
To do a deal with those who held power in the regions
41
What unofficial agreements were made?
That the central government would not interfere with the local power structure provided the local leaders recognised the ultimate authority of the Chinese government.
42
What was rarely done?
Rules were seldom written down but the understanding provided a workable system
43
What did Chiang disregard (ignore)?
The convention/usual way of the government or the unofficial agreement
44
What were the local power structures?
Officials, businessmen, lawyers and financiers who administered the regions during Japan's occupation and expected to continue after the GMD's return to power in 1945.
45
What did Chiang give little thought to after 1945?
The local power structures
46
How did Chiang give little thought to the local power structures?
He simply tried to impose GMD rule by dismissing the officials already there and replacing them with Nationalist appointees, who were invariable ignorant of their prevailing (current) political and social conditions.
47
What did the short signed policy do?
Alienated the local communities and the GMD
48
What was a fundamental flaw in the composition of the GMD?
They undermined their claim to be a party of the people
49
Who did the GMD become as a party who represents who?
Not the masses, but a social and political elite who had little interest in the impoverished peasants and workers which alienated Chiang's party which became associated with aloofness (emotionally distant) and nepotism
50
What was Chiang's book called and when was it published?
1943-'New life Movement'
51
What did Chiang's book try to encourage?
Tried to encourage Chinese people to abandon selfish thoughts and work for the good of the nation.
They were principles which were hard to relate to after the GMD behaved so badly
52
What factor finally undermined the GMD (not politics or war)?
Economics
53
What success of the Communists under Mao obviously played an essential role in preparing the way for their takeover in 1949?
Military and political
54
what was the most significant economic reason for the GMD failure?
Inflation
55
When did the chronic but relatively mild rise in prices that China had experienced throughout the republican period begin to climb uncontrollably?
1941
56
What was soaring inflation initially caused by?
The Japanese occupation of China's most productive provinces after 1937
57
How much of the governments expenditure was spent on maintaining an army of military troops in 1945?
80%
58
In 1945, because of the costs needed to maintain the army, what was government expenditure not being spent on?
-Education
-Infrastructure
-Healthcare
-Industry
-Agriculture
59
What did the government do to meet revenue needs?
The government resorted to heavy taxation of individuals and companies
It also borrowed heavily from abroad and greatly increased the issue of paper currency
60
What did the inflation rate reach during the civil war?
1000%
61
When did China's monetary system collapse?
1949
62
What were the consequences of the financial failure?
Demoralised people
Discredited the GMD government
63
what was especially damaging to the GMD in terms of public relations?
Their practice of conscription
64
Because more manpower was need for the war and they were unable to raise volunteers, what did the GMD do?
Chiang's government authorised the rounding of peasants by armed recruitment squads
65
Once conscripted and enlisted, how were the troops treated by their officers?
They were treated with contempt (disrespect, as if they are worthless)
66
What did the President of the Chinese Red Cross say which described the barbarity (extreme cruelty or brutality) suffered by the Nationalist conscripts?
He said, "They were tied to one another to prevent their escaping, were savagely beaten if they upset their officers, and were starved of food."
67
What was Chiang's first basic reasons for why his forces lost to the CCP?
1. The GMD's military commanders had lacked skill and judgement and had fought 'muddle-headed battles'
68
Name the 4 communist strengths
1. Mao's opportunism
2. Mao's dominance of the CCP and PLA
3. Mao's leadership
4. Mao's outplaying of Stalin
69
How did high level officers begin to behave in the GMD?
High level officers began being complacent (self-satisfied, over-confident and smug) and ended as defeatist (a person who expects or is excessively ready to accept failure)
70
Why did Chiang rush his armies into Manchuria in the hopes of a quick victory over the CCP?
He did this in reversal of the 'trading space to buy time' strategy he had followed against the Japanese.
71
What did Chiang failing to exploit his sides initial advantages show?
The poor showing of the GMD militarily, politically and economically that gave eventual victory to his opponents.
72
What was Chiang's 2nd basic reason why his forces lost to the CCP?
2. rank and file soldiers lacked training and were incompetently led
73
What was Chiang's 3rd basic reason for why his forces lost to the CCP?
3. GMD morale was low-high-level officers were only concerned with self-interest
74
What was Chiang's 4th basic reason for why his forces lost to the CCP?
4. GMD unable to inspire its forces in the field: lacked discipline and effective propaganda
75
What was Chiang's 5th basic reason for why his forces lost to the CCP?
5. GMD failed to make effective use of arms and resources which were provided by the USA-too many weapons fell into CCP hands
76
[MAO'S OPPORTUNISM] What was one thing the defeat of the GMD in 1949 was as a result of?
Triumph of propaganda and public relations
77
[MAO'S OPPORTUNISM] What did later accounts written by Mao's supporter which described the careful planning that paved the path of victory disregard?
The support of the Soviet Union and the USA.
78
[MAO'S OPPORTUNISM] What did enlightened (informed) policies in the countryside form?
An unbreakable bond with the Chinese people and left them in a great social revolution against the GMD.
79
[MAO'S OPPORTUNISM] Mao was successful as a result of his opportunism not what?
His long-term planning
80
What year was the Civil War renewed?
1946
81
[MAO'S OPPORTUNISM] When the civil war was renewed, what was Mao's optimistic hope?
That the CCP would be able to retain the bases it had acquired by the end of the Japanese struggle
82
[MAO'S OPPORTUNISM] What did Mao not foresee that the Communist forces would be able to do within 3 years of renewing the civil war?
He did not foresee that within 3 years Communist forces would have taken the whole of China.
83
[MAO'S DOMINANCE OF THE CCP AND PLA] How did the Nationalists make it possible for the Communists to acquire the whole of China?
They threw away their initial superiority.
84
[MAO'S DOMINANCE OF THE CCP AND PLA] The CCP would not have won the war without Mao's what?
Mao's power and abiility as a leader
85
[MAO'S DOMINANCE OF THE CCP AND PLA] What characteristics of Mao inspired the PLA's commanders and men?
His self-belief and conviction of his own correctness.
86
[MAO'S DOMINANCE OF THE CCP AND PLA] What did Mao possess that helped him win political and military struggles?
The strength of will.
87
[MAO'S DOMINANCE OF THE CCP AND PLA] How was Mao's ruthlessness shown?
In the suppression of opposition during the rectification programme of the early 1940's.
88
[MAO'S DOMINANCE OF THE CCP AND PLA] What did Mao's control allow him to do during the civil war?
Overcome the doubts of many of his commanders.
Redirect strategy at critical moments in the civil war?
89
[MAO'S LEADERSHIP] What was the most significant factor for why the CCP was able to win the Civil War?
Mao's military leadership.
90
[MAO'S LEADERSHIP] Under Mao what did the CCP forces turn into?
From rural guerilla fighters=1945
To an effective modern army = by 1949
91
[MAO'S OUTPLAYING OF STALIN] Who did Mao's victory in the civil war mean a personal victory over?
Stalin
92
[MAO'S OUTPLAYING OF STALIN] Why did Mao's victory in the civil war mean a personal victory for Mao over Stalin?
Since 1920s, the Soviet leader refused to believe that the CCP could achieve a genuine revolution.
93
[MAO'S OUTPLAYING OF STALIN] What key event happened in August 1945 between the Soviet Union and Chiang's Nationalist government?
Soviet Union signed a friendship treaty with Chiang’s Nationalist government ending all outstanding grievances between China and the USS
94
[MAO'S OUTPLAYING OF STALIN] What did the Soviet Union signing a friendship treaty with Chiang's Nationalist government prove?
The USSR had abandoned the CCP
95
[MAO'S OUTPLAYING OF STALIN] On which British newspaper was the USSR abandoning the CCP because of the friendship treaty commented on?
'The observer'
96
[MAO'S OUTPLAYING OF STALIN] Into what position was the USSR manoeuvring itself into?
From which it could seize Chinese territory
97
[MAO'S OUTPLAYING OF STALIN] Between what 2 dates did Soviet armies occupy Manchuria?
Between August 1945 and May 1946
98
[MAO'S OUTPLAYING OF STALIN] Until when did the Soviet armies not withdraw from Manchuria?
Until they had stripped the regions of its economic resources.
99
[MAO'S OUTPLAYING OF STALIN] Give an example of an occasional gesture Stalin made towards Mao during the Civil War.
Sending representatives.
100
[MAO'S OUTPLAYING OF STALIN] As late as 1949, who did Stalin recognise as China's leader?
Chiang
101
[MAO'S OUTPLAYING OF STALIN] Why did Stalin recognise Chiang as the Chinese leader, as late as 1949?
He believed that the USA would not tolerate a Communist victory in China.
102
By 1949, what was Mao convinced the only path for China was?
The Chinese path.
103
Until when did the USA and Soviet Union continue to support the GMD?
Almost the last moment freed Mao's long-held belief that salvation for China was only possible from within China itself.
104
What were the 2 type of reasons for the Communist victory in 1949?
Military
Political
105
List the 1st 5 military reasons why the Communists were victorious in 1949.
1. Chiang’s flawed strategy in attempting to seize northern China before his forces were ready
2. Overextension of supply lines damaged NRA effectiveness
3. Inability to hold the countryside
4. Ineffective general ship
5. Misuse of US aid, much of which fell into Communist hand
106
List the 2nd 5 military reasons why the Communists were victorious in 1949.
6. Lack of loyalty among NRA commanders at the highest level
7. Constant desertions
8. Betrayal from within by pro-Communist moles and informants
9. Low morale caused by the brutal way NRA troops were treated
10. Rivalry among the commanders
107
List the 1st 5 political reasons why the Communists were victorious in 1949.
1. Restricted power base of the GMD
2. GMD's financial dependence on the banking interests
3. Chiang never in total control of the government
4. Failure to fulfill the Three People's Principles
5. Corruption in government
108
What are the Three People's Principles?
Nationalism
Democracy
Livelihood of the people
109
List the 2nd 4 political reasons why the Communists were victorious in 1949.
6. Savage conscription methods alienated people
7. Overwhelmed by hyperinflation
8. Failed to win over the localities
9. Restored to coercion to maintain control
110
In some ways, how can the situation after the war be described as in regards to the Communists?
Favourable to the Communists.
Bringing good will to them.
111
What was proven by the Communists extending their area of control?
They were capable of greater control than the Nationalists.
112
After the civil war, what did many non-communists believe how life under Mao would be?
Sufferable (Bearable)
113
What did Mao believe the civil war had greatly improved for him?
His position at the top of the Party.
His reputation as a military commander had been elevated.
114
What did Mao intend to use his power to do?
Restore stability
Remove all political opposition
115
After the Civil War, what did Mao understand the further importance of?
Broadening the support base.
116
How can we see that Mao understood that broadening the support base was important, during the civil war?
Through his instructions to the Red Army to treat the civilian population well.
117
Before 1949, what was the only city controlled by the Communists?
Harbin in Northern Manchuria
118
Before 1949, what was the only city controlled by the Communists?
Harbin in Northern Manchuria
119
What did Mao do with the lessons he learnt in Harbin?
Applied elsewhere.
120
Between what dates was the Chinese Civil War?
1 August 1927 – 7 December 1949
121
What had happened to China's economy as a result of 12 years of war?
It had crippled.
122
By 1936, what was China already recovering from which meant focusing on war again had a detrimental effect?
The Great Depression
123
In China what type of output dropped because of Japan seizing the most productive areas?
Industrial
124
What destroyed China's industry?
Japanese bombing raids
125
What nationalist policy destroyed much of China?
Scorched earth policy of nationalist forces.
126
What is a scorched earth policy?
a military strategy that aims to destroy anything that might be useful to the enemy
127
When was Japan defeated by China/surrendered to China?
2 September 1945
128
When Japan was "defeated" in 1945, what was China's industrial production at?
Only 25% pre-war level.
129
Why was agriculture massively disrupted?
Conscription of peasants.
130
Why did many flee the land?
To escape the Japanese in the East.
131
What percentage was food production at in 1945?
30% lower than it had been at the start of the war in 1937.
132
How many people died in the Henan province famine?
2-3 million
133
What took place in the countryside?
Food requisitioning
134
What percentage of the population lived in cities which relied on surpluses of food from the peasant population?
20%
135
What happened to finances because of the war and why?
They were wrecked.
GMD had printed more money to pay for the war causing hyperinflation.
136
What was the inflation rate at in 1949?
1000%
137
What did Chiang Kai-Shek take with him when he fled to Taiwan?
China's foreign currency reserves.
138
What are foreign currency/exchange reserves?
Refer to foreign assets held by the central bank of a country
Assets held on reserve by a central bank in foreign currencies
139
Who declared war on Japan not long after they had been defeated in China?
Russia
140
Why did Russia declare war with Japan not long after they had been defeated in China?
Gave Russians an excuse to invade Manchuria.
141
In 1949, what was China predominantly?
An agricultural country
142
What did China mainly produce?
Rice
Wheat
Oilseed crops
143
How did China produce their agriculture after the Civil war?
Labour-intensive farming methods
Used basic mechanisation
Tractors were unheard of
144
After the civil war, how were food supplies were most people lived, in rural areas?
Adequate (enough) provided there were no natural disasters.
145
Give an example of a natural disaster in China.
1931
Yangtze River flooded
Followed 2 years of drought
146
How did agriculture develop under the Nationalists?
Slowly
147
When were farmers hit by a steep drop in food prices?
During the Great Depression.
148
What percentage of land in China was actually useful to grow food?
Only 15%
149
Scope to increase agriculture output was limited unless what happened?
Techniques were modernised
Peasants became more productive
150
By what year did modernisation become necessary?
1949
151
Why did modernisation become necessary by 1949?
There was a growing population in cities,
152
How much was the population in cities by 1949?
541 million
153
How much did the population in cities rise to by 1953?
587 million
154
What type of development was there a lack of in China?
Industrial development
155
In China, where were the most advanced industrial areas?
Manchuria along Yangtze (River) Delta and eastern seaboard.
156
Under the Japanese, what industries had been developed?
Iron and Steel
157
What did the loss of Manchuria prompt Chiang Kai-Shek to set up?
National Resources Committee (NRC)
158
In 1945, what percentage of industry was state owned?
70%
159
In 1945, how much technical staff did the NRC have?
300,000
160
After the civil war, what was industrial growth hampered (obstructed) by?
Poor investment
Under-skilled workforce
161
Before the war, what type of infrastructure was seriously under-developed?
Economic infrastructure
162
After the civil war, what was economic infrastructure like?
Reduced to ruins by bombing raids and lack of maintenance between 1937-49
163
When did Japan occupy Manchuria in China?
1931
164
When did Japan turn their occupation into a full scale war that lasts until 1945?
1937
165
When were there minor clashes between Chinese and Japanese troops which led to declaration of a full scale war?
July 1937
166
When did the Rape of Nanjing lead to the slaughter of 300,000 Chinese civilians by the Japanese?
December 1937
167
What was the Hundred Regiments Offensive?
Communist led offensive against the Japanese
168
When was the Hundred Regiments Offensive?
August 1940
169
When did fighting between Communists and Nationalists break out alongside the war with Japan?
1940
170
When did Pearl Harbour bring America into WW2?
December 1941
171
When was there an allied attack on Japanese mainland?
1944
172
When did Japan launch Ichigo Campaign to further their advance into China?
1944
173
What was the Ichigo Campaign?
a campaign of a series of major battles between the Imperial Japanese Army forces and the National Revolutionary Army of the Republic of China, fought from April to December 1944.
174
When did the USA drop an atomic bomb on Japan due to which in a few days they surrendered?
August 1945
175
When were Chiang Kai-Shek and the Guomindang the leaders of the Republic of China?
1928
176
When was Chiang seized by mutinous (rebellious) GMD troops and handed over to Communist representatives inXian?
December 1937
177
When Chiang was seized by mutinous GMD troops and handed over to Communist representatives, what did he have to do if he wanted them to spare his life?
End his persecution of Communists and form a united front against the Japanese.
178
When did the Japanese surrender?
August 1945
Following the use of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki
179
Who aided the GMD in pushing Mao's army back to the hills?
USA
180
How did Mao prepare for the Civil War?
Planned a counter attack
Started to use guerilla tactics
181
When did the truce between the CCP and the GMD break down?
July 1946
182
What style of warfare was Mao's army using?
Guerilla
183
When did Manchuria fall to the Communists?
March 1948
184
What was the last main area captured by the Communists?
Guangzhou
185
When did Mao declare his People's Republic of China?
1st October 1949
186
Where did Chiang Kai-Shek flee to?
Island of Taiwan
187
Despite fleeing to Taiwan, what did Chiang continue doing (for a while)?
Representing China as the president of China
