Section II (National Study): China 1927-1949

13 dot points across 13 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How did the Chinese Communists defeat the Nationalists in the civil war between 1945 and 1949?

The Chinese Civil War 1945 to 1949, including the strategic balance at 1946, the role of Manchuria, the three decisive campaigns of 1948 to 1949, and the reasons for the Communist victory

A focused answer on the Chinese Civil War (1945-1949), the strategic balance at 1946, Lin Biao's Manchurian campaign, the three decisive campaigns (Liaoshen, Huaihai, Pingjin) of 1948-1949, the crossing of the Yangtze, and the reasons for KMT defeat. Covers inflation, corruption, US disengagement, land reform, and the historiography of Westad, Pepper, and Lloyd Eastman.

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What did the founding of the People's Republic of China on 1 October 1949 represent, and how was the new regime structured?

The founding of the People's Republic of China on 1 October 1949, including the Common Programme, the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the new state structure, and the international recognition of the PRC

A focused answer on the founding of the PRC (1 October 1949), the CPPCC, the Common Programme, the new state structure, Mao's lean-to-one-side policy, the Sino-Soviet Treaty (February 1950), and international recognition. Covers consolidation and the historiography of Meisner, Spence, and Muehlhahn.

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How did the Japanese invasion of Manchuria (1931) reshape Chinese politics and the international system?

The Japanese invasion of Manchuria 1931, including the Mukden Incident, the creation of Manchukuo, the failure of the League of Nations, and the impact on Chiang Kai-shek's strategy of internal pacification first

A focused answer on the Mukden Incident (18 September 1931), the Kwantung Army's seizure of Manchuria, the puppet state of Manchukuo, the Lytton Report, the failure of the League of Nations, and Chiang's policy of internal pacification before external resistance. Covers the impact on the CCP and the historiography of Akira Iriye, Rana Mitter, and Marius Jansen.

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What was the state of China at the Japanese surrender in 1945, and what made renewed civil war likely?

The end of the Second Sino-Japanese War and the post-war balance, including the Soviet invasion of Manchuria, the race for territory, the Chongqing negotiations, and the Marshall Mission

A focused answer on the Japanese surrender (August-September 1945), the Soviet invasion of Manchuria, the race for Japanese-held territory between KMT and CCP, the Chongqing Negotiations (October 1945), and the Marshall Mission (December 1945 to January 1947). Covers Yalta, the Sino-Soviet Treaty (August 1945), and the historiography of Westad and Pepper.

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How did the Chinese Communist Party survive and develop a new strategy in the Jiangxi Soviet between 1928 and 1934?

The Jiangxi Soviet 1928 to 1934 and the development of Communist guerrilla strategy, including the role of Mao Zedong, the land reform programme, and the KMT encirclement campaigns

A focused answer on the Jiangxi Soviet (1929-1934), Mao's rural-base strategy, the 1930 Land Law, the Sixteen Character guerrilla formula, and the five KMT encirclement campaigns. Covers Zhu De, the Futian Incident, Hans von Seeckt, the failure of positional defence under Otto Braun, and the historiography of Schram, Snow, and Wakeman.

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Why did the KMT collapse on the mainland in 1949, and how did Chiang Kai-shek consolidate the Republic of China on Taiwan?

The defeat of the KMT and the retreat to Taiwan 1949, including the reasons for the collapse, the evacuation of personnel, treasure, and military equipment, and the establishment of Chiang's authoritarian regime on Taiwan

A focused answer on the KMT's mainland collapse in 1949, the evacuation of personnel, gold, and Palace Museum collections to Taiwan, the establishment of Chiang's authoritarian regime in Taipei, and the role of the Korean War (1950) in saving the regime. Covers the 28 February Incident, the White Terror, and the historiography of Taylor, Phillips, and Lin.

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How did the Long March transform the Chinese Communist Party, and why did Mao Zedong emerge as its dominant leader?

The Long March 1934 to 1935 and the emergence of Mao Zedong as Communist leader, including the Zunyi Conference, the relationship with Zhang Guotao, and the establishment of the Yan'an base area

A focused answer on the Long March (October 1934 to October 1935), the Zunyi Conference, the Luding Bridge crossing, the conflict with Zhang Guotao, and the founding of the Yan'an base. Covers Mao's defeat of the 28 Bolsheviks line, the strategic and propaganda value of the March, and the historiography of Sun Shuyun, Edgar Snow, and Stuart Schram.

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How did the Marco Polo Bridge Incident escalate into the Second Sino-Japanese War, and how was the war fought to 1941?

The Marco Polo Bridge Incident of July 1937 and the outbreak of the Second Sino-Japanese War, including the fall of Shanghai and Nanjing, the Rape of Nanjing, the move of the capital to Chongqing, and the stalemate of 1938 to 1941

A focused answer on the Marco Polo Bridge Incident (7 July 1937), the outbreak of the Second Sino-Japanese War, the Battle of Shanghai, the Rape of Nanjing, the bombing of Chongqing, and the stalemate of 1938-1941. Covers the role of foreign aid (USSR, USA), Wang Jingwei's collaboration, and the historiography of Rana Mitter, Hans van de Ven, and Diana Lary.

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What were the achievements and failures of the Nationalist government during the Nanjing Decade (1928-1937)?

The Nanjing Decade 1928 to 1937 and the achievements and failures of the Nationalist government, including state-building, economic modernisation, the New Life Movement, and the limits of KMT control

A focused answer on the Nanjing Decade (1928-1937), the achievements and limits of KMT state-building, the Five Yuan Constitution, financial reforms under T.V. Soong and H.H. Kung, the 1935 currency reform, the New Life Movement, and the Blue Shirts. Covers the limits of central control and the historiography of Jay Taylor, Lloyd Eastman, and William Kirby.

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How did the Northern Expedition and the consolidation of Chiang Kai-shek's power transform China between 1926 and 1928?

The Northern Expedition 1926 to 1928 and the consolidation of Chiang Kai-shek's Nationalist government, including the role of the First United Front, the Whampoa Military Academy, the alliance with the warlords, and the establishment of the Nanjing decade

A focused answer on the Northern Expedition (1926-1928), the rise of Chiang Kai-shek, the Whampoa Military Academy, the role of the First United Front, and the establishment of the Nanjing Nationalist Government. Covers strategic events including the Hankou and Nanjing incidents, Soviet Russian and Comintern involvement, and the historiography of Jonathan Fenby, Hans van de Ven, and Jay Taylor.

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How and why was the Second United Front formed in 1937, and why did it break down well before the end of the war?

The Second United Front 1937 to 1945, including the Xi'an Incident, the New Fourth Army Incident, and the deterioration of KMT-CCP relations during the war with Japan

A focused answer on the Second United Front (1937-1945), the Xi'an Incident (December 1936), the formal CCP-KMT alliance, the New Fourth Army Incident (January 1941), and the long deterioration of relations. Covers the limited operational cooperation, the political competition for legitimacy, and the historiography of Lloyd Eastman, Lyman Van Slyke, and Odd Arne Westad.

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Why did Chiang Kai-shek destroy the First United Front in 1927, and what were the consequences for the Communist Party?

The Shanghai Massacre of April 1927 and the destruction of the First United Front, including the role of the Green Gang, the Wuhan-Nanjing split, and the impact on the Chinese Communist Party

A focused answer on the Shanghai Massacre (12 April 1927), the destruction of the First United Front, and the near-annihilation of the urban Communist Party. Covers Chiang's alliance with the Green Gang, Shanghai capital, and Western powers, the Wuhan KMT split, the failed Autumn Harvest and Canton uprisings, and the historiography of Lloyd Eastman, Stephen MacKinnon, and Steve Smith.

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How did the Chinese Communist Party expand its political and military strength during the Yan'an period (1937-1947)?

The Yan'an period 1937 to 1947 and Communist mass mobilisation, including land reform, the Rectification Movement, the development of Mao Zedong Thought, and the growth of the Communist base areas

A focused answer on the Yan'an period (1937-1947), CCP mass mobilisation, the Mass Line, rent and interest reduction, the Rectification Movement (1942-1944), Mao Zedong Thought, and the explosive growth of base areas. Covers the Three-Thirds system, Nanniwan, Yan'an Forum on Literature and Art, and the historiography of Mark Selden, Chen Yung-fa, and Frederick Wakeman.

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