Mao Zedong's Emergence as CCP Leader
TITLE
‘The most important outcome of the Long March was the emergence of Mao Zedong as leader of the Chinese Communist Party.
ESSAY
The emergence of Mao Zedong as the leader of the Chinese Communist Party was indeed a significant outcome of the Long March, but it is essential to consider other key issues and outcomes to fully evaluate the statement. While Mao’s position within the party was solidified during and after the Long March, there were several factors that contributed to his rise to power as well as other important outcomes of this historic event.
Before the Long March, Mao had faced challenges to his leadership within the CCP, with figures like Zhou Enlai, Otto Braun, and Bo Gu gaining influence. The 5th encirclement campaign posed a threat to the Jiangxi Soviet, and Mao’s role in leading the resistance was called into question. His brief house arrest in 1934 and replacement by Zhou Enlai as the leader of the military commission further complicated his position. However, the Long March provided Mao with the opportunity to assert his leadership and consolidate his power.
The Zunyi Conference in 1935 was a turning point where Mao successfully navigated a power struggle with Bo Gu and other rivals, establishing himself as the undisputed leader of the CCP. This event marked the beginning of Mao’s rise to prominence within the party. Additionally, the establishment of the Yan’an Soviet as a result of the Long March provided Mao with a base of operations where he could further solidify his control over policy and party affairs.
Furthermore, the Long March ensured the survival of the CCP in the face of intense pressure from the Nationalist forces. By consolidating their base in Yan'an, the CCP was able to develop and grow in strength, becoming a more formidable opposition to the Kuomintang. The heroic narrative of the Long March also garnered admiration and support for the CCP, particularly among peasants, strengthening their popular appeal.
Moreover, the Long March positioned the CCP to directly oppose the Japanese incursions, further boosting their popular support and solidifying their role as a significant political force in China. The Rectification Movement initiated by Mao in 1941 allowed him to consolidate his power by purging party members over the next three years, further cementing his position as the paramount leader of the CCP.
In conclusion, while the emergence of Mao Zedong as the leader of the Chinese Communist Party was a crucial outcome of the Long March, it was also important in terms of the survival and consolidation of the CCP, the establishment of the Yan’an Soviet, and the party's positioning against external threats. Therefore, while Mao’s leadership was certainly pivotal, it is essential to recognize the multifaceted impact of the Long March on the CCP and Chinese history as a whole.
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HISTORY
PAPER
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NOTES
“The most important outcome of the Long March was the emergence of Mao Zedong as leader of the Chinese Communist Party.’ How far do you agree? This essay is not about the Long March as such; it requires a consideration of Mao’s position before, during, and after the Long March as well as other outcomes of the Long March.
Key issues in Mao’s rise
Mao’s position had been weakened in 1933, as Zhou Enlai, Otto Braun and Bo Gu became the CCP decision makers. This raises the question, how central was Mao’s role in leading resistance to the 5th encirclement campaign which began against Jiangxi Soviet in September 1933? In July 1934, Mao had been briefly placed under house arrest and replaced by Zhou Enlai, as leader of the military commission. The Long March began in October 1934, and it was Zhou, not Mao, who was consulted about abandoning Jiangxi. The Long March, however, sealed the personal prestige of Mao, for example, the Zunyi Conference (1935) where Mao won the power struggle with Bo Gu, the 28 Bolsheviks and Otto Braun, taking control of the military command and became the undisputed leader of the CCP. The influence of the Comintern in CCP affairs was reduced significantly. The establishment of the Yan’an Soviet was a result of the Long March, and this haven allowed for the growth of Mao’s control of policy. In 1941, the Rectification Movement was initiated allowing Mao to purge party members over the next three years.
Other outcomes
The Long March ensured the basic survival of the CCP, which had almost been destroyed by the encirclement campaigns. Its consolidation of a base in a relatively inaccessible area of China allowed the CCP to develop its strength and become a viable alternative to the KMT. The Long March and survival of the CCP, also, provided a heroic narrative and won the CCP admiration and support, especially amongst peasants. The new base, also, put the CCP in a better position to directly oppose the incursions of the Japanese thereby strengthening their popular support. Accept any other valid responses.”