Summary:
It's exactly what it sounds like. Members of the Communist party of China (CCP) were literally chased by the KMT, or the Chinese nationalist party... for a year... through some of the harshest terrain in China. They crossed swamps, deep gorges, flowing rivers. They travelled through mountains, on rickety suspension bridges, All of this with hostile enemies on their heels. It is characterized as a military retreat executed by members of the Red Army, with various factions escaping to the North and West. Due to fatigue, sickness, cold, hunger, and violence at the hands of the KMT, the Red Army sustained heavy losses. It is estimated that of the original 100,000 party members who began the March, only 7,000 original members survived. The March lasted from October of 1934-October of 1935.
It's exactly what it sounds like. Members of the Communist party of China (CCP) were literally chased by the KMT, or the Chinese nationalist party... for a year... through some of the harshest terrain in China. They crossed swamps, deep gorges, flowing rivers. They travelled through mountains, on rickety suspension bridges, All of this with hostile enemies on their heels. It is characterized as a military retreat executed by members of the Red Army, with various factions escaping to the North and West. Due to fatigue, sickness, cold, hunger, and violence at the hands of the KMT, the Red Army sustained heavy losses. It is estimated that of the original 100,000 party members who began the March, only 7,000 original members survived. The March lasted from October of 1934-October of 1935.
This map shows the route that the Chinese Communist party members took from Jiangxi, probably the most famous route.
This image shows the Red Army, led by Mao, heading Westward out of Jiangxi.
Cause: This retreat came about after years of tension and several unsuccessful offensive military operations attempted by the Red Army against the KMT.
Effect:
The retreat allowed the army to regroup, and recruit new members. It also improved public opinion of the Communists, particularly among the peasants. This is due to Mao's policy of the Eight Points of Attention, effectively forbidding the Communists from stealing from or harming the peasants. The most notable effect of the March, in terms of party politics, was the part it played in establishing Mao as a leader of the Communist party. During the March, he gained much support from members of his party and various peasant factions. It is not an exaggeration to say that, as a survivor of the March, Mao became something of a living legend.
No comments:
Post a Comment