SL HISTORY CHINESE CIVIL WAR STUDY
In Paper 2 you will answer two questions. In class you have will have studied three different topics – Warfare,
Authoritarian and Single Party State Leaders and The Cold War.
Relevance to Paper 2 of studying the Chinese Civil War
In Topic 1 on Warfare you should be able to answer a question on the Chinese Civil War while coverage of the
Chinese Civil War is essential to understand Mao as an Authoritarian and Single-Party State Leader (Topic 3)
Depth of study
You need to;
1. Analyse the causes of the Civil War.
2. Assess the extent of which Communist victory was due to Guerrilla warfare.
3. Examine whether or not the Chinese Civil War was a revolutionary war.
4. OPTIONAL - Contrast the Chinese Civil War with the Spanish Civil War.
If you choose not to complete element 4 you will be asked to review your work on the The Cold War.
Questions on Civil Wars/Guerilla Wars
 Analyse the causes of two 20th century Civil Wars each chosen from a different region.
 Why did foreign intervention occur so frequently in Civil Wars of the 20th century and what impact did
this intervention have on two civil wars each chosen from a different region?
 Analyse the reasons for the outcome of one civil war. How did the outcome affect the country in which
the war was fought?
 To what extent has any civil war in the 20th century settled the issues that caused it?
 Examine the reasons for and the contribution of guerrilla warfare on the outcome of one 20th century
war.
Resources
 Pearson IB photocopied notes.*
 Lynch textbook.
 Brooman textbook.
 Class notes and past essays.
Tasks
1. Background – Read pages 252 to 259 and complete the mind-map/flow diagram suggested as point 2
in the student study section on page 259.
2.
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Research 1 - Read IB Pearson text and highlight/underline or make notes under the following headings;
Strengths/Successes of the CCP 1928-49 inc guerrilla tactics
Weaknesses/failures of the Guomindang 1928-49
The impact of the Sino-Japanese War.
The impact of foreign intervention.
3. Research 2 - Read and highlight essays on the course and outcome of the Chinese Civil War particularly
looking for
 Strengths/Successes of the CCP 1928-49 inc guerrilla tactics
 Weaknesses/failures of the Guomindang 1928-49
 The impact of the Sino-Japanese War.
 The impact of foreign intervention.
4. Impact of Guerilla Tactics - Complete the student study section beginning on page 262.
5. Impact of Guerilla Tactics - Using a plan you’ll be given write an answer to the question; Examine the
reasons for and the contribution of guerrilla warfare on the outcome of one 20th century war.
6. Impact of Foreign intervention & Ideology - Read pages 274 to 276 then answer the questions on page
276. You should either answer these questions by writing at least on page of A4 notes or by making a
PowerPoint presentation the others in your group can take notes from.
7.
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Answer the following essay question – ‘Why did the Communists win the Civil War?’
Strengths/Successes of the CCP 1928-49 inc guerrilla tactics
Weaknesses/failures of the Guomindang 1928-49
The impact of the Sino-Japanese War.
The impact of foreign intervention.
8. Results - Read pages 276 & 277. To what extent has any civil war in the 20th century settled the issues
that caused it?
9. Complete a comparison grid on the causes of both civil wars.
10. Complete a comparison grid on the reasons for and impact of foreign intervention in both wars.