Communists in China
Uploaded by enna on Aug 20, 2000
Why were the Communists able to come to power in China?The Communists were able to come to power principally because of the policies and actions used by the Guomindang of which the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) took advantage. However in addition to this, there were also significant factors such as the conditions during the beginning of the twentieth century complications in the republic China and the Japanese War (1937-45), which led to the vulnerability and insufficiency of the GMD during the Civil War. Their leader, Chiang Kai-shek, lost the support of the majority, mainly peasants and intellectuals, to the CCP, which contributed to their success in war, and he was no longer able to continue dictating China. In combination with GMD’s actions, Mao Zedong, the communist leader was able to take over and declare, the by then already united nation, the Peoples Republic of China.
The discontent in China was rooted in problems, which arose during the early twentieth century. In addition to this the CCP was able to use the situation in order to give people hope as well as help, which won the majority to the communist side.
Until the early twentieth century, China’s rule was based on dynasties, which followed the Confucian theories. The Chinese thought of their nation as ‘Zhongguo’-the center of the world, disclaiming any interest in the west. The Qing dynasty, established in 1644, ruled China over 250 years.
Already during the nineteenth century, China had been weakened through foreign trade, war and influence. As the discontentment increased, the people wanted to alter the situation and showed concern about the outcome of the ‘Boxer Rebellion’.
This Rebellion and its aftermath prompted some reforms in China. However, it was a case of ‘too little, too late’. The Qing dynasty was seen to be failing the people of China. It had lost its right to the Mandate from Heaven.
In 1908 the Dowager Empress, CiXi, died and her three year-old grand nephew, PuYi, was proclaimed emperor. The discontent grew even further, therefore several groups, such as the Tongmenghui, organized to overthrow the Qing. Surprisingly, the actual uprising developed on 10 October 1911 among a group of plotters in the army, which soon controlled the province of Wuchang. This action inspired others and due to the consequences of the ‘Wuchang Uprising’.
On 1 January 1912 Sun Yatsen (a member of Tongmenghui) was announced the provincial president of the Republic...