The Long March

Question 1

When was the Long March?

Answer 1

October 1934- October 1935

Question 2

How many communists undertook the Long March?

Answer 2

100,000

Question 3

How far did they travel in the Long March?

Answer 3

10,000 km

Question 4

Why did the CCP undertake the Long March? (eg of battle of Guangchang) (3 pt)

Answer 4

• The Fifth Encirclement Campaign initiated by the GMD against the CCP was to be successful
• In September 1934, 60/70 Soviet counties had fallen
• Battle of Guangchang, April 1924, 4000 Red Army men died and 20,000 wounded

Question 5

What was the Fifth Encirclement Campaign? (3 pt)

Answer 5

• The GMD built blockades around Soviet bases
• 1 million GMD men
• 200 aircraft

Question 6

How many kms was the line of communists during the Long March?

Answer 6

80 kms

Question 7

When was the Battle of Xiang River?

Answer 7

25th November- 3rd December 1934

Question 8

How many communists were left to march at the end of the Xiang River battle?

Answer 8

30,000

Question 9

When was the Zunyi Conference?

Answer 9

15th-18th January 1935

Question 10

What was the significance of the Zunyi conference for Mao? (3 pt)

Answer 10

• Gave Mao the formal role of chief advisor to Zhou Enlai
• Gave Mao significant informal control of the Long March

because Mao complained that the 28 Bolsheviks handled the fifth encirclement campaign poorly and had support of Luo Fu and Wang Jiaxiang

Question 11

What changes did Mao implement after the Zunyi Conference?

Answer 11

• Rank and file commissars doubled efforts to keep up morale
• Troops were given explanations of their movements
• Introduced slogans such as “march north to fight the Japanese”
• Went back to using guerrilla tactics

Question 12

What was the significance of the Long March in terms of relationships with the people?

Answer 12

• biggest armed propaganda tour in history
• held large meetings to explain the nature of the people’s army
• reiteration of rules of discipline ensured impeccable behaviour, which was a good propaganda initiative

Question 13

When was the Battle of Luding Bridge?

Answer 13

29th May 1935

Question 14

What was the significance of the Battle of Luding Bridge?

Answer 14

It proved that Mao was correct in that with the correct attitude, any obstacle can be overcome

Question 15

How many survived after crossing the snowy mountains?

Answer 15

10,000

Question 16

How many people survived the Long March?

Answer 16

7000-8000

Question 17

What was the result of the Long March tactically, organisationally and psychologically?

Answer 17

Tactically- a retreat
Organisationally- brought Mao to power
Psychologically- imbued communists with strong sense of purpose