The Impact of US Post-War Policy on the Rise of the Chinese Communist Party in 1949
TITLE
‘It was the failure of the US post-war policy in China which enabled the Chinese Communist Party to gain power in 1949.
ESSAY
The assertion that the failure of the US post-war policy in China was the main factor enabling the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to gain power in 1949 is complex and requires a comprehensive assessment. While US actions certainly had an impact on the unfolding events in China, other factors also played crucial roles in the eventual victory of the Communists.
One key aspect of the US policy in China was its decision to support the Nationalist government led by Chiang Kai-shek. Despite concerns about corruption and inefficiency within the Nationalist administration, the US viewed the Nationalists as the best option to prevent the spread of communism. The US provided significant military aid to the Nationalists, hoping to bolster their forces against the Communists. However, the Nationalists’ own shortcomings, such as their oppressive governance, economic mismanagement, and military failures, ultimately weakened their position and contributed to their defeat. The US support, while substantial, was unable to overcome these internal weaknesses of the Nationalist regime.
Furthermore, the CCP's own strengths and tactics played a crucial role in their victory. The Communist forces, under the leadership of Mao Zedong, were organized, disciplined, and strategic in their approach to warfare. They effectively mobilized the Chinese peasantry and built a strong base of support in rural areas, which provided them with a significant advantage over the Nationalists. Additionally, the CCP benefited from military aid and equipment received from the Soviet Union, as well as defections of trained Nationalist troops to their side.
The internal dynamics within China, such as the discontent among the population due to the Nationalist government's policies, economic hardships, and social inequalities, also fueled support for the Communists. The CCP's appeal to the common people, promises of land reform, and efforts to address social issues resonated with many Chinese, further weakening the Nationalist position.
In conclusion, while the failure of the US post-war policy in China did have a role in enabling the CCP to gain power in 1949, it is important to consider the broader context of internal factors within China and the strengths of the Communist forces themselves. The Nationalists' own weaknesses, the CCP's effective strategies, and the popular support they garnered all played significant roles in the Communist victory. The US support for the Nationalists, while impactful, was not sufficient to overcome these internal challenges and ultimately could not prevent the rise of the Communists in China.
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HISTORY
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A LEVEL
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"It was the failure of the US post-war policy in China which enabled the Chinese Communist Party to gain power in 1949.’ Assess this view.
After the surrender of Japan on 10 August 1945, Chiang Kai-shek’s Nationalist China was admitted to the UN as a permanent member of the Security Council. The United States still hoped to maintain Nationalist China as an ally to stop the advance of communism. Truman wished to avoid a renewal of the Chinese civil war. However, US forces were over-stretched in Europe and Asia and heavy military commitment in China was unrealistic.
General George Marshall was sent to persuade Mao and Chiang to form a government of national unity. Marshall arrived in China on 20 December 1945. His goal was to unify the Nationalists and Communists hoping that a strong, non-Communist China, would prevent the intervention of the Soviet Union. Even though Marshall conducted negotiations with both sides, no significant agreements were reached and in January 1947 Marshall left China.
Although the United States were aware of the corruption of Chiang’s administration, they wished to contain communism They therefore increased their aid to the Nationalists, supplying aircraft and sending teams to Taiwan to train their troops. American public opinion was firmly against fighting a war in China. The United States supported the losing side and they limited their commitment in the area.
Responses may also consider other factors that influenced the communist victory, such as how it was the Nationalists themselves that helped the Communists secure victory. Chiang’s troops often turned and fled rather than face the enemy. His army also had a reputation for arrogance and cowardice and was accused of looting and stealing. He lost support in the cities because of heavy taxes, inflation, unemployment and food shortages. Economic discontent led to strikes and there were protests demanding an end to the civil war and the creation of a government that included the Communists.
The Nationalists responded with repression including censorship, mass arrests and assassinations. The Nationalists supported business and the landlords; they ignored the suffering of the peasants. Giving more US funds to the corrupt Nationalists would have been a huge waste of money. The Nationalists played a large part in their own defeat.
However, the Communists themselves played a huge part in their victory. The People’s Liberation Army was unified under a tightly controlled central command. In 1945 the CCP’s liberated zone contained 19 base areas which included about a quarter of the country’s territory. The Soviet Union turned over all of its captured Japanese weapons to the CCP who also received Manchuria from the Soviets.
Mao appointed loyal generals including Lin Biao and Zhu De whose tactics contributed greatly to the Communist success. The ordinary soldiers in the army were treated with respect and, in contrast, thousands of Nationalists deserted. Large numbers of well-trained KMT deserted and joined the communists and they were able to take full advantage of their skills. In June 1947 the Communists successfully defeated the KMT New First Army; they now had tanks and heavy artillery at their disposal.
In 1948 they launched an attack south of the Great Wall that cut off Nationalist troops from their supply bases in Xi’an. They then secured the South East Central section of China and by the end of January 1949 most of China was in the hands of the Communists."