Why did the Communists win the Civil war?

obvious that Chiang Kai-shek found himself distracted by the CCP.  “Believing that China was not yet ready to confront Japanese military power and obsessed with his desire to eliminate domestic opposition, Chiang Kai-shek adopted a policy of appeasement and conciliation towards the Japanese” (Journal of Asian Studies, February 1985). The CCP was seen as more productive and used the war to its advantage, to spread communism to the large areas of China, unoccupied by the GMD. Moreover, the Red Army administered guerrilla warfare tactics against the Japanese, which was more effective than the GMD’s head-on fighting. The benefit of land reform, coupled with the idea of ‘the people’s war’ helped the CCP gain a lot of support while they were at war with Japan.  Following Pearl Harbor, in July 1945, the United States successfully tested the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima, and the Japanese surrendered.Be that as it may, China was still at war, with no other country but itself. It was evident in the Japanese war that the Nationalists and the Communists had divided their attention to each other, and in 1946, the Civil war, had officially begun. The morale of the CCP was noticeably higher than that of the GMD. Although the GMD’s army consisted of well-trained soldiers, most, if not all, were old and conscripted into service. Additionally, Chiang Kai-shek was not focused on any particular motivational techniques for his army.  Bribery was considered a fundamental aspect of the GMD’s army, the rich never fought, but the poor always did. ‘Officers considered it their privilege and right to beat soldiers” (‘China Shakes the World J. Belden, 1949) “On the whole, the life of the ordinary soldier (GMD) was just above a pig and just below a mule.” Chiang Kai-shek’s techniques were very different from that of Mao’s. The CCP’s army, also known as the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), contained roughly half the size of the GMD army. The soldiers were motivated young volunteers, with high morale. “The Red Army was so often the only side in a battle that believed it was fighting for something.” (Edgar Snow,1936). The soldiers were also well disciplined due to the strict reinforcement of the Eight Rules. Moreover, Mao adopted guerrilla tactics, a more effective way of fighting when against a large scaled enemy. A prominent reason for the CCP’s success in the Civil War, was their rapidly increasing popularity.  Mao and the Communists had the support of the peasants, which was 90% of the population of China, and therefore its core. Mao catered his decisions and choices to aid the peasants, and he made sure they took note. “This great mass of poor peasants are the backbone…heroes who have performed the great revolutionary task which for long years was left undone. Leadership by the poor peasants is absolutely necessary…To deny their role is to deny the revolution. To attack them is to attack the revolution.” (Mao Zedong, ‘Selected Works’, 1927).  Mao established the Eight Rules, the code of conduct for the Red Army, which ensured well-behaved soldiers, and no mistreatment of the peasants. Militarily, everyone was seen as equal. “From the highest commander down to the rank and file these man ate and dressed alike” (Edgar snow, 1936). An event that fueled the CCP’s popularity was the Long March in 1935. On the CCP’s 368-day trek, they traveled through villages and had a chance to spread their ideas and Communist Influence amongst the peasants. Not only did the increasing popularity for the CCP help them, but the lack thereof in the GMD.  Chiang Kai-shek did not establish land reform for the peasants, nor did he hold elections. His main priority remained amongst the middle classes, and the Americans. He was indifferent towards the peasants and did not see them as important in terms of gaining support for himself. In addition, his army was ill treated and grew to resent him.  “Throughout the Japanese war and the civil war that followed, this army (GMD) was beaten continuously because it had no soul.” (‘China Shakes the World’, J. Belden, 1949).Mao Zedong was notorious for his effective use of propaganda. He was very skilled when it came to exaggeration and persuasion. To illustrate, the Long March was not a victory for the Communists. However, Mao was able to amend this non-premeditated event into a deliberate and cleverly planned triumph of the Red Army.  The Long March not only defined the Red Army as an army of heroes, but humiliated Chiang Kai-shek and the GMD as they were seen everywhere as weak and inadequate.  “The Long March is a manifesto…the Red Army is an army of heroes…Chiang Kai-shek and his like, are impotent”(Mao Zedong). Chiang Kai-shek was ineffective with his propaganda. He focused on anti-Communist campaigns, rather than pro-Nationalist ones. Yet what hindered his success the most was his lack of care for the peasants. His propaganda merely targeted the middle class, instead of the vast majority.         Yet another reason to explain the success of Mao and the CCP is the corruption in the GMD government. From 1945 to 1947, the American government presented the GMD with around 200 million dollars worth of aid to finance the war. However, the top government officials sold the military supplies to the black market, and spent the money on the luxury of themselves. The minister of finance, Kung Hsiang-hsi, manipulated the currency towards his enrichment. This was not uncommon, for many officials abused their positions, and as a consequence, the government gradually took the form of extortion. The loss of the provinces in Eastern China to the Japanese also meant that the GMD lost their main source of income, this was because the government had been dependent on the upper classes in the lower Yangtze region for money. Therefore, the government was forced to print out the money they needed, in order to finance the war. This eventually caused inflation, and from 1942 to 1945, prices rose by 300 percent per year (Wood and McManus, pg60). The taxes of the peasants rose once again, in order to relieve the GMD of a financial crisis. Unlike the GMD, the CCP knew how to manage their money. The CCP’s funds were limited; thus they were as careful as possible with it. Instead of buying military supplies, they became self-sufficient, and successfully produced cannons out of elm logs, and landmines out of tin cans, and teapots. Moreover, land reforms reduced the taxes of the peasants, coupled with gaining popularity amongst them. Corruption within the CCP government was rare. On October 1st, 1949, a 20 year prolonged struggle for power had finally come to an end, Mao Zedong and the Communist Party had won. In retrospect, it seems that as early as 1946, the success of the CCP was inevitable. The Communist had an effective guerrilla war tactic performed by enthusiastic devoted soldiers. They had the peasants, the vast majority of China, in their favor. Their clever leader had an inspirational way with words, and they handled their money with thought. Their opponents, the GMD, lacked care and patience when it came to their military. They wooed the wrong audience when popularity and propaganda called. Furthermore, they managed their finances with the utmost nativity. The outcome of the Civil war was foreseeable due to Mao and the CCP’s intelligence, perseverance, and determination.  “We have stood up.” (Mao Zedong, October, 1949). Bibliography: Brooman J.1988, China since 1900, Longman, London, England CHINA a century of revolution. Joint Operation Public Broad Casting Channel,1997.Davied, Paul. “Why did the Communists defeat the GMD?” China A Modern World 1988.Davies P. 1988, China, modern world study: History 13-16project, Holmes Mac Dougall Ltd. UK East Asian History. 25 Sept. 2008 <http://www.east-asian-history.net/>.Fearns, Jennifer. "Chinese Civil War." Chinese International School. Sept. 2008.Lynch M.1996, China: from Empire to People's Republic 1900-49, Hodder & Stoughton, London, England Ward H. 1990, China in the 20th century, Heinemann History series, Pen and Ink book company UK Wood J & McManus A., 1998, China: Revolutionary Leadership Macmillan Auckland, New Zealand