Maos Leadership was the crucial factor in the Communists winning the 1945 Civil War. How far do you agree with this statement?

  The use of guerrilla warfare against the GMD in the civil war meant that the CCP could emerge from most of their battles in success. The people’s liberation army (PLA) were greatly outnumbered by the GMD. However, the PLA’s use of guerrilla tactics often put the GMD into tricky situations, leading to more victories for the PLA with fewer casualties. Soldiers in the PLA were trained to have unfaltering loyalty and belief in the Communist cause, and this meant that those who fought had both their obligatory commitment to the army, and a personal commitment to what they were fighting for. The army’s numbers rose hugely from 1945 to 1948; from 320,000 to over 1.5 million. Mao’s enlistment of excellent military leaders such as Lin Bao led to this surge in Communist forces. The morale was higher because of this, despite their numbers still being less than the Nationalists. The high morale, coupled with the effective use of guerrilla warfare introduced by Mao, meant swift and successful attacks on the GMD. Mao believed that fighting the GMD was like a tiger fighting an elephant – the elephant can try and fight back, but the elusive tiger will eventually wear down the defences and win. Mao told his forces; “fight when you know you can win. Don’t fight when you may lose.”  This motto ensured that the PLA never strayed into battles in which they would be beaten. This worked well, and more successful battles meant more support and respect for the Communists from the people they governed. This support was key in leading the Communists closer to victory in the war over China’s leadership.

  The CCP’s treatment of peasants was entirely different from that of the Nationalists’, with far more concern for their wants and needs. When Communist policies of land reform took shape, the peasants who gained from them provided a solid source of support for the party. Land was taken from the rich and shared among the poor, interest-free loans made life easier for people, rents and taxes were reduced, inequality for women was eradicated, and the culture was reformed. Unwanted babies were no longer murdered, marriages could be free rather than arranged, prostitution was targeted to be stopped, and child slavery came to an end. These changes made the quality of life better for everybody. The party’s popularity also increased through the effective use of propaganda through the media – newspapers, the radio, even film. The Communists’ message and their promise of change was everywhere, and the prospect of a new reformed China was irresistible. More and more people believed in the promised Communist future, and this belief was invaluable, because it brought yet more supporters for the Communist cause and therefore brought the Communists closer to victory.  

  Mao’s leadership was built upon many morals and policies which ensured his control and kept his rule just and stable. He was idolised by many of the Chinese because of his guidance and help during the trials of the Long March. He provided the foundation for many of the Communist decisions and ideas during the battles in the Civil War. Chief among these ideas was the introduction of guerrilla warfare against the GMD; without this, the chances of the PLA succeeding in battle would have been very slim, and without the PLA the Communists were defenceless. Mao was strict in the belief that the CCP should rule through kindness and respect for their people, rather than command the people to follow them through fear. Mao’s principle was that “the party commands the gun and the gun should never be allowed to command the party.” This was an unorthodox way for a party to take power, and yet it worked – villages, towns and cities joined the Communist following, and Mao’s army grew along with it. This was key in their victory over the Nationalists.

   The outcome of the Civil War was influenced greatly by the involvement of foreign powers, on both sides. The Nationalists had financial aid from the USA, and were supplied with equipment. The Communists received help from the USSR through the training of the PLA in war academies, and the PLA became further effective because of this help. Mao himself took many of his policies from the leaders of the Russian Revolution, particularly Lenin. Although the support from the USSR was appreciated, the CCP still stood very much on its own two feet and managed to widely sustain itself. The GMD, however, became reliant on the funding and guidance of the USA. This resulted in the Nationalists finding it very difficult to maintain control without them, making their isolated situation easy for the CCP to take over.

   Overall, I think that there were many important factors which led to the Communists winning the Civil War. Their commitment to the peasants, the mistakes made by the Nationalists, the effective battle strategies of the PLA, and Mao’s logical governing – these were all key in the Communists winning the Civil War. The majority of these policies and ideas were initiated by Mao, and his leadership was crucial in the victory. Without Mao, guerrilla warfare, the PLA’s policies, and perhaps even the CCP itself, would not have made it to power. Mao’s part in the Long March made certain that the CCP made it to the countryside and safety. His influence on the decisions which were made by the Communists ensured that the CCP stayed true to their cause. He made sure that they emerged from the war as the strongest of the two parties. I think that his role in the Civil War was the CCP’s greatest asset, and that his participation made sure that the Communists won and not the Nationalists.