Yenan Soviet and Chinese Communist Party Popularity

The Yenan Soviet played a significant role in increasing the popularity of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) by 1949. The settlement was established at the end of the Long March and became the headquarters for Mao for 13 years. It served as a platform to propagate Communist victories and the heroic adventures of the Party, thus generating interest and support both within China and overseas.

The Yenan Soviet was used to demonstrate Communist ideas and policies, as well as to redistribute land to peasants in Communist-controlled villages. Maoist and Marxist ideas were taught to the peasants, gaining their support and loyalty. The settlement also trained the army in guerrilla warfare tactics, which enabled them to defend the interests of the peasant classes.

The Yenan Soviet attracted visitors, including Westerners, who went there out of curiosity. These visitors further spread awareness of the CCP and its activities. By 1945, the membership of the CCP had grown to over 1.2 million, partly due to the efforts made in Yenan. Mao also generated interest overseas through engagements with foreign media, proclaiming KMT atrocities and presenting the Communists as patriotic fighters against Japanese forces.

However, it is important to note that the Long March, a great propaganda victory, also significantly contributed to the popularity of the CCP. It allowed the Party to rebuild and restructure in the rural north, gaining support from peasant villages and arming them with captured KMT weapons. Additionally, the corrupt leadership of the KMT and their misuse of foreign aid from the USA led many Nationalists to change sides and support the Communists. The Communist Party's role in leading the fight against Japanese forces during the Second World War further solidified their popularity among the peasants.

In conclusion, while the Yenan Soviet played a crucial role in increasing the popularity of the CCP, it was not the sole factor. The combination of the Long March, the CCP's fight against the Japanese forces, and the KMT's corruption all contributed significantly to the CCP's rising popularity by 1949.