The Yan'an Period Flashcards
When were the Communists at Yan’an? What was it called? What was the aim of it? How did it come about?
1937-45, the Yan’an Soviet. (Founding dates vary from 1935-37). To create an alternative form of Chinese Society. It came about through the year-long ‘Long March’ led by Mao which took them to Yan’an where they then established the ‘Party Line’.
What was Yan’an regarded as?
Mao’s experiment in creating a new way of Chinese living..
What did the Yan’an Soviet provide?
A degree of security and welfare. E.g food supplies (China was dealing with widespread famine during the years Yan’an was founded - 30 million people had already died.) Schools and Hospitals.
It provided hope and confidence, Yan’an creating a feeling of great achievement.
What was grown at Yan’an? What benefits did this have?
The CCP raised up to 40% of its income by growing and selling Opium.
What was the Rectification Movement? When was it?
From 1941-44. It was the purging of CCP officials who did not follow Mao’s ideology. It’s aim was the educate the masses.
It started off with ‘reflective study sessions’ in which party members woful read the works of Mao and reflect and criticise them.
This then resulted in the removal of those party members how had criticised Mao. Mao was able to establish himself as the undisputed CCP leader and his theories became the official ideology of the CCP and the party doctrine was established.
Why does The Rectification Movement provide an counterbalance to Communist Propaganda about Yan’an?
Because Yan’an is depicted as being a period of optimism, cooperation and unity. However this movement was violent and resulted in thousands of deaths.
How did the Communists control the countryside? (The Land Expropriation and Distribution)
The Red army would go in and seize a region by driving out the landowners or killing them and declare the area to be liberated. The land was then relocated to the peasants, therefore, making them supporters of the CCP soviet.
What was regarded as the Party’s major political weapon?
The Red Army.
How was the Red Army different to China’s ‘army’ previously?
Whereas soldiers before were traditionally a terror to the civilian population, The Red Army was instructed to behave differently. It’s duty was to aim and comfort the people.
List the instructions of The Red Army:
- To be courteous and helpful when possible.
- Return all borrowed articles.
- Replaced all damaged articles.
- Be honest in all transitions with the peasants.
- Pay for all articles purchased.
- Be sanitary.
- Don’t take liberties with women.
- Don’t kill prisoners of war.
How did Mao encourage Unity at Yan’an? (With regards to land)
The CCP’s harsh land confiscation programme was modified so that only landlords who actively cooperate with the Japanese had their land confiscated. However Mao was careful not to depart form the party’s policy on controlling exorbitant rent set by the landlords. These programmes were implemented with the help of the peasants.
How harsh was Mao’s regime?
It was fiercely authoritarian. Villagers who did not conform to the demands of the Red’s were subject to harsh penalties such as the confiscation of their crops and livestock and imposing taxes.
What were the consequences of the Rectification Movement?
- Mao had rid himself of opposition and consolidated his position as leader
- Mao had begun to move towards cult status in Yan’an
- Chinese Communism was now so closely identified with Mao that it became known as Maoism.
- Mao had finally triumphed over the pro-Moscow wing of the party.
Why did Mao not receive help from the Soviet Union during their struggle against the Nationalists (GMD) during the Yan’an period?
Stalin’s primary aim was to make the Chinese Communists conform to his notions of Marxist revolution. This meant Mao was in a constant battle to stop the CCP from being taken over by pro-Moscow members.
Why didn’t Stalin back the CCP in the war with Japan?
Stalin gave his support to Chiang and the Nationalists and out of self-interest did not support the CCP in its war against the Japanese because Stalin feared Japan would eventually invade Russia. The USSR declared war on Japan only days before Japan surrendered in August 1945.
