Emergent
Nationalism in
Asia
The Rise of Chinese Communism
OVERVIEW
In this lesson we examine:
• The background to the 1911 Revolution
• The rise of Chinese Communism
• The results of the Chinese Civil War of
1927-1950
The 1911 Revolution
China at the beginning of the 20th century was
marked by several significant political,
economic and social features
Foreign domination:
• Britain, Russia,
Japan held
important territories
• US “Open Door
Policy”
Internal dissent:
• Rebellions and revolts
• Taiping Rebellion, Boxer Rebellion
Low standard of living:
• Large gap in wealth between elite and
peasantry
• Opportunities for education were few
• In October 1911, Dr. Sun Yat Sen, a foreigneducated lawyer, led a revolution to
overthrow the Manchu emperor, Pu Yi.
• In 1912, Sun and his party, the Kuo Ming
Tang (KMT) declared the creation of the
Republic of China.
• By the end of 1912, General Yuan Shi Kai,
originally president of the new republic,
declared himself emperor and seized power.
The Rise of Chinese
Communism
• From 1912-1926, China was
divided among warlords while
the KMT attempted to rebuild
support from southern China.
• In Shanghai, the Chinese
Communist Party (CCP) was
founded in 1921 and was
heavily supported by the
USSR.
• In 1923, both the KMT and
CCP formed a ‘united front’,
and launching a Northern
Expedition in 1926 to unite
China.
By 1927, the KMT and the CCP controlled
most of southern China. The KMT then
launched a purge against the CCP, driving
them into a retreat (the “Long March”) from
southeast China towards the central province
of Shanxi. Why did the KMT turn on the
CCP?
• Generalissimo Chiang
Kai Shek (Jiang Jie
Shi), leader of the
KMT, wanted no power
sharing with the CCP
• Major KMT
supporters, such as
landowners and
merchants, were
against the socialist
goals of the CCP
The Chinese Civil War
After the Japanese invasions of Manchuria in
1931, the KMT was forced to unite with the
CCP in 1936 against Japan. What strategies
did each side employ during this time?
The CCP preferred to
fight Japan in order to
gain popular support
Chiang and the KMT
preferred to hold back
men and resources in
preparation for fighting
the CCP
After Japan was defeated in WWII, the KMT
and CCP fought for control of China. Despite
US military and financial support, the KMT
was militarily defeated in 1949 and forced to
retreat onto the island of Taiwan. What major
factors accounted for the communist victory?
• Nationalist appeal: the CCP had fought
against Japanese foreign invasion
• Efficient organization: the CCP used
propaganda effectively to mobilize the
peasantry
• Ideologically moderate: the CCP initially
welcomed internal debate and accepted
compromises
In what ways were these factors similar or
different to those of the Russian Revolution of
1917?
SUMMARY QUESTIONS
• What major factors led to the Revolution of
1911?
• Why did the KMT choose to fight against the
CCP despite the threat of foreign invasion?
• In what ways was were the communist
revolutions in Russia and China similar
and/or different?