History

1. History Describe relations between the CCP and the KMT from 1927-1935

2. Why The Extermination Campaign… • In 1927, Chiang Kai-shek, leader of the KMT, realised that the communist were becoming too powerful and very successful at spreading their communist ideology throughout the whole of Central and South China • Therefore, being under the pressure from the communist, Chiang had to destroy and wipe out all communist bases as soon as possible before Japan was done building up their army to invade China (Mukden Incident, 1931)

3. First Extermination Campaign (1930) • Government announced that bandits and communists would be removed within 3-6 months • Campaign failed with 2 of 12 divisions lost. • Nationalists lost due to the communists use of guerilla warfare, information from locals, superior use of mountain regions • By avoiding border defence and set battles, the Red Army decisively defeated the Nationalists • Red army’s numbers continue to grow due to the poor living conditions of the peasants and workers • In 1930-31, when a large army of 100,000 KMT troops attacked 40,000 Red Army, it ended in failure when most of the equipment is captured.

4. Second and Third Campaign (1931) • Launched by Nanjing • Same tactics were used with the same results • Red Army was greatly strengthened due to capture of arms and defections from the Nationalists • The expert guerilla warfare managed to halt the Nationalists, who were greater in number • The third campaign started on July 1st • Chiang now assumed personal command • Although he claimed that the campaign had been completed, those reports were premature and the communists counted attacked strongly, and badly mauled two nationalist divisions • Although Chiang claimed success after the climatic battle in September, both sides suffered heavy losses • Although more troops were sent, the attempts also ended in failure • However, Japan attacked Manchuria at this time and Chiang was forced to cancel the expedition

5. Fourth Campaign (1933) • Begin in April 1933, when the Japanese invade the Great Wall • Chiang sent 250 000 men to Jiangxi to once again exterminate the bandits but however were once again outmaneuvered by the Red Army tactics in the mountainous terrain • This time round, Chiang lost men of about 3 divisions while the Red Army still continued to build up their resources and increase their strength and territory • However, when Japan took Jehol in North China, Chiang was forced to call off the extermination campaign once again even though he really wanted to get rid of the bandits

6. Fifth Campaign (1933) • Chiang decided to heed advice from the famous General Hans von Seeckt who was sent to China after an invitation by Chiang to help them review their military tactics • With a new strategy put in place, Chiang began the Fifth Campaign in October 1933 • Von Seeckt strategy of encirclement, blockade and strangulation was successful at cutting off the Communist’s communication and trade with the outside world • The communist, under pressure, made the wrong move of fighting rather than their past strategy of guerrilla tactics • The Red Army, given no other option, broke out of the encirclement and began to head north, which will become to be known as “The Long March”

9. The Long March (1934) • After breaking out from Chiang’s encirclement, about 90 000 men begin to walk north to reach their new communist base • First, the communist were driven west to Guizhou, where at Zunyi, they suffered a heavy defeat at Xiang River and lost half of their army • It was during this period that Mao became the dominant figure in the party due to the support from the generals of the Red Army and the old Bolsheviks

10. Effects of the Long March • Mao’s leadership was consolidated • Made the CCP members more determined • Military gained experience • Members were left along to promote the Communist cause

11. Second United Front • Alliance between the KMT and the CCP to defend China against the Japanese.