The Long March (1934-1935) began when the CCP escaped from the GMD's encirclement of the Jiangxi Soviet. Although the communists suffered enormous losses, survivors reached Yan'an, where they established a secure revolutionary base.
The march became a powerful founding myth. It portrayed the CCP as disciplined, self-sacrificing and committed to China's rural population. Mao also emerged from the Zunyi Conference in 1935 with greater authority, helping him become the party's dominant political and military leader.
| Factor | Contribution to the CCP's rise |
|---|---|
| Mao's leadership | Adapted Marxism to Chinese conditions by treating the peasantry, rather than the urban working class, as the main revolutionary force. |
| Long March | Preserved the CCP, strengthened party unity and enhanced Mao's prestige. |
| Japanese invasion | The Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945) weakened the GMD and allowed the CCP to expand its influence through resistance and guerrilla warfare. |
| Peasant support | Land reform, lower rents and disciplined treatment of civilians increased communist support in rural areas. |
| GMD weaknesses | Corruption, inflation, coercive recruitment and military mistakes reduced support for Jiang Jieshi's government. |
After Japan's defeat, the Chinese Civil War resumed. The CCP combined effective guerrilla organization with conventional military victories, while capturing GMD equipment and territory. By 1949, communist forces had defeated the GMD, which withdrew to Taiwan, and Mao proclaimed the People's Republic of China.
Exam technique: For a Paper 3 essay, avoid the misconception that the Long March alone caused communist victory. Build a multi-causal argument, assess Mao's significance against GMD weaknesses and wartime conditions, and maintain focus on the command term.
