1926-1935: How did Chiang and the KMT consolidate their power?

1931-1934: The Rise and Fall of the Soviet Republic of China

Mao Ze Dong had held senior posts in the Kuomintang and the Communist party by 1927. During Chiang’s purification movement following the Shanghai Massacre, the Communists set their base in the mountainous Kiangsi Province. He had formed the Red Army by 1931 consisting of the Revolutionary Army of Peasants and Workers and forces of the Warlord—who turned communist, Zhu De. 

Mao formed the Soviet Republic of China, becoming their chairman. Their popularity was increasing, especially among peasants and factory workers, which threatened the control of the Kuomintang. 

Chiang operated five extermination campaigns against the communist party from 1930 to 1934. One of the most significant campaigns led to the Long March.

In the Kiangsi Province, the communists and soviets are surrounded by the Kuomintang, who, with 500,000 troops, are advancing, slowly building blockhouses, digging trenches and putting up barbed wires, restricting their access to food, fuel, ammunition and weapons.

Otto Braun, a German Communist and Comintern Agent, convinced the communists into abandoning Guerilla Warfare and expelling Mao Zedong from the Central Committee. With his new role in charge, he launched a number of pitched battles, which ultimately failed.

By the summer of 1934, the communists were surrounded by four lines of blockhouses and faced a severe food shortage and by October 1934, the communists had lost half of their territory and at least 60,000 troops.

1935: The Long March

On 16th October 1934, 87,000 communist soldiers began to retreat to Yan'an where the 2nd Red Army was based.

They took as much equipment & guns as possible and it took them 6 weeks to break out of the 4 rows of blockhouses.

At the end of November 1934, the Red Army reached the Xiang River and lost over half of their numbers fighting the Kuomintang.

In January 1935, at a meeting in Zunyi, Braun was blamed for the defeat at the Xiang River because:

• The large quantity of equipment slowed them down

• The retreat he planned was in a straight line, which helped the KMT to predict their route.

The leadership of the march was handed over to Mao and Zhu De. The new tactics consisted of changing routes and splitting up their forces. 

The Red Army was trained in Guerrilla Warfare and had eight rules to follow:

1. Speak politely

2. Pay fairly for what you buy

3. Return anything you borrow

4. Pay for everything you damage

5. Don't hit or swear at people

6. Don’t damage crops

7. Don’t take liberties with women

8. Don’t ill-treat prisoners

In October 1935, after crossing 24 rivers and 18 mountain ranges, walking an average of 24 miles a day with a total of 6,000 miles and fighting in dozens of battles, 20,000 communists out of an original 100,000 arrived at the Communist Base in Yan'an.

How important was the Long March?

 After their long journey, 20,000 out of 100,000 arrived at the 2nd Red Army base in Yunnan. This is important as the survivors were seen as heroes. Additionally, they now had more support with the 2nd Army and had gained the support of the populations they had helped along the way.

The CCP had managed to survive by going to one of their remote bases, instead of being completely wiped out. Due to their survival, the CCP was able to secure their strength and position in China.

Many Chinese saw the CCP as heroes as they helped peasants along the Long March, thus garnering great support for the party, boosting their ideals and morale.