Nationalist and Communist ideology 1937-1945
The spread and impact of Nationalist ideology
The area around Chongqing, called 'Free China', was just one of ten regions loyal to the Nationalists in China after 1938. Tibet, Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia had reasserted their independence and north-east China surrounding Yan'an was controlled by the Communists. Manchukuo and east China comprised a series of puppet states under the Japanese 'New Order' in Asia 
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In spite of monetary and tactical assistance from foreign countries (especially the USA after 1941) the Nationalists lost the confidence of sectors of the Chinese population during this period.
There is a range of historical interpretations to explain the weakening of Jiang Jieshi's support during the war.
Open this link to learn more about the historical interpretations.
- Jiang Jieshi's inadequacy as the Commander-in-chief of the Nationalist forces.
- The weakness of the Nationalist army including poor training, limited food and munitions, incompetent officers, poor treatment of conscripted soldiers and defection of soldiers to warlords.
- The brutality of Jiang's dictatorship. The Nationalists had replaced promises of democracy for the power of the single party rule, secret police, violence, torture and censorship.
- The poor economic organisation leading to excessive inflation during 1942 to 1944 coupled with widespread material shortages.
- The affluence, corruption and lack of empathy displayed by the Guomindang officials.
- The continued and worsening exploitation of peasants. Apart from increased taxes to fund the war effort many peasants were conscripted to work on roads and airfields both in Nationalist and Japanese controlled areas.
Note: You should investigate these interpretations as part of your preparation for the assessment.
The spread and impact of Communist ideology
Peasant support for the CCP increased throughout the war. Mao's Mass Line policy was very popular with the peasants. Mao wrote on the significance of the Mass Line in 1934:
We should help the masses to realise that we represent their interests, that our lives are intimately bound up with theirs. We should help them proceed from these things to an understanding of the higher tasks which we have put forward, the tasks of the revolutionary war, so that they will support the revolution and spread it throughout the country, respond to our political appeals and fight to the end for victory in the revolution. (Lin 1967, p 133)
Communist ideology was spread by the following actions.
Click on the headings below for more information.
The key aspects of Communist propaganda included a focus on land reform, involvement in a revolutionary war against the Japanese and the ultimate success of a Communist revolution. The Anti-Japanese University or Cave University instructed Communist cadres on Marxism. They were then expected to move into the countryside to teach peasants. They were also expected to learn what peasants wanted from the Communists. Following the 'New Democracy' movement during 1942 to 1943, Maoism became the official party line. At the heart of Mao's ideology was the importance of peasant faith in the revolution. The process of education was central to this faith.
Rent reduction and limited confiscation and redistribution of land appealed to a wide group of peasants. Peasants were encouraged to join village councils and become involved in the development of cooperatives and other village reforms.
'The people are the water, the soldiers of the Eighth Route Army are the fish – the fish cannot live without water' according to Peng Duhuai (Carr 1993, p 82).
The Red Army, which consisted of full-time soldiers and village militia, changed names several times. It was the New Fourth and Eighth Route Army after 1936 and then the People's Liberation Army (PLA) from 1947. Whatever its name, the army was an essential catalyst for Communist success.
The militia included both men and women between the ages of 16 and 45 who lived and worked in villages and towns. These people collected intelligence and information and provided food and shelter for the regular soldiers.
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Source: Collection International Institute of Social History, Amsterdam |
This poster produced in 1957 shows the CCP Party creed: 'The army loves the people, the people support the army, the army and the people are as dear to each other as members of one family'. |
Historians debate the relative importance of nationalism or social reform in rising peasant support for the communists. What is agreed is that by 1945 the Communists controlled 19 bases in the north-west of China and influenced over ninety million people. They were well positioned to take on the Nationalists after 1945.
Open this link and complete the activity Attitudes towards the Nationalists and Communists .
