Another reason was that Sun Yat-sen did not think that communism contradicted his Three Principles. Ideologically, the Nationalists espoused the Three Principles – Nationalism, Democracy and Livelihood. He argued that the principle of Livelihood was really communism, a share of property by all. He viewed that the objective of communism and the Nationalists ideals were really the same as both were out to provide the people a form subsistence and livelihood. Without ideological contradiction, the united front was made possible.
Another reason was that the Nationalists wanted to make use of the strength of the communists. Sun Yat-sen, who was leading the Nationalist Party, wanted military support from the Soviet Union, especially in the provision of military trainings and weapons. During this time, only the Soviet Union was willing to help China reintegrate China. This was unlike the other western powers which wanted to break up China and colonized its territories. Furthermore, Sun also realized that the party could use good leadership in the mould of Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai. Sun understood that to keep the Nationalist Party strong, it needed leadership. Last but not least, the Nationalists could use the attractiveness of the CCP, in particular, its support from the workers. The Nationalists had significant support from the professionals and the business community. However, that was not enough to win over the people. Hence, the Nationalists saw these benefits and were therefore willing to form the united front.
The CCP wanted to make use of the strength of Nationalists. The CCP under the guidance and advice of the Comintern understood their weaknesses. The CCP being a party smaller than the Nationalists did not have enough support from the people. During this time, the CCP had limited memberships because the working class was very insignificant. By joining forces with the Nationalists, the CCP could use its reputation to draw support from the people, not necessary from the workers alone. In long run, the CCP hoped to overthrow the Nationalists to lead China. Hence, the CCP agreed to the United Front during this period.
