Chinese Revolution Dbq

The Chinese Revolution of 1949 was caused by many events. It all started in 1945 when the Japanese were defeated and the KMT, Kuomintang, and the CCP, Chinese Communist Party, alliance breaks and KMT wants war with the CCP. The same year they go into a war the KMT is defeated so the CCP takes control of China. Mao Zedong did not agree with the CCP having control of china, so he decided that China would now be the PRC, the People’s Republic of China. This was a new government to try to modernize the country. Before, when they were under the rule of Manchu they were restricted to modernizing their country. The communist government was very controlling and based their economy off of agriculture and crafts. Factory conditions were terrible and child labor was very common, and workers were underpaid. America helped to fix some corruption made from the KMT.

When World War two ended in 1945, the Chinese Exclusion Act was enacted by the United States and Chinese immigration into the United States was not restricted anymore.

The KMT and the CCP went into war immediately. This conflict had been going on between the two parties since the 1920s. In 1945, the Soviet union invaded and took the power of all factories, goods and stocks. They deployed most of Mao’s communists into Manchuria. By 1949, the KMT had lost support. The CCP had gained the majority of the support. The communist freed controlled areas of warlands and won the rest of the support from the people. Chiang moved into Manchuria forcing the Soviet Union to leave.

China was now lead by Mao Zedong. He announced that China’s government would now be called the PRC, the people's republic of China. Mao Zedong pulled China out of troubles with Japan and Western countries. He also tried to modernize the country. In 1949, the Chinese revolution starts when Mao Zedong fled to Taiwan to take back their

mainland.

The date is the twelfth of May 1949, and it is the afternoon. This is the day that the communist People's Liberation Army had planned to begin its assault on the outer area of Shanghai initiating the month long Shanghai Campaign. The PLA's 3rd field army was tasked with taking the city from the nationalists. The forces were under the command of Marshal Chen Yi and senior general Su Yu. The two discuss final strategies and battle tactics at a military base on the southwest outskirts of Shanghai. Chen Yi enters General Yu’s meeting room, he then approaches him at his dimly lit wooden desk.
“A word General?”, asked Marshal Yi.
“Of course marshal,” said General Yu. “Please, have a seat.”
Chen Yi pulls a chair from under his desk and promptly takes his seat. The air is tense. Both men can feel the angst in the room as would any commanders in the preparation of launching a full-scale attack.
“General Yu, have the communist IX corps reported back to us yet?”, asked Marshal Chen Yi with a concerned expression.
“Yes, they have,” Said General Yu. “ I heard from them earlier today, everything is proceeding as planned and they are ready to begin the assault of Pinghu. We can finally take control of the largest city in China and expel the nationalists. Soon we will be able to distribute wealth and resources among the people like our party has always wished.”
Immediately after giving his response, Su Yu can see that marshal Yi is delighted to hear the news as his facial expression is now a faint grin and he begins to relax.
“Excellent news general,” Said Chen Yi. “ And what of the forces we had sent to Zhejiang-Jiangxi railway in order to intercept any possible outside interference?”
“Also in position. We had heard from commander Liu Bocheng and political commissar Deng Xiaoping from the second field army earlier this morning. They are prepared to detain any third party interference isolating the nationalist forces in Shanghai in the event that a third world war breaks out.”
Marshal Yi seemed pleased to hear this.
“And do you really think that another great war may soon be upon us?” He asked.
“Of that, I am not certain,” Said General Yu. “But what I am certain of is that the proper precautions must be taken just in case of that situation. Because as you and I know, the nationalist commander-in-chief Tang Enbo plans to take hold of precious resources and stand his ground for as long as possible in Shanghai.”
“Indeed, but what does Enbo believe this will accomplish?”
“Apparently, commander Enbo plans to last in Shanghai just long enough until the start of world war III, which the enemy, as well as ourselves, consider being a real possibility in the near future.
General Yu stood up from his chair and turned around. He began to reach in a small cabinet behind him.
“Well then I guess it was a smart move for us to isolate the nationalist army in the event that this may occur general,” said Chen Yi
General Yu pulls out a bottle of Baijiu liquor along with two small glasses for Yi and himself.
“Indeed marshal. I do appreciate the concern and attention to detail but I promise you all the necessary groundwork has been laid out and we will proceed with the attack plan shortly,” General Yu assured.
He poured himself a glass of the clear, distilled beverage and gave the marshal a gesture as if to offer him some.
“Thank you, commander, my condolences,” Marshal Yi had said apologetically.
The two men each made a toast and downed their glass of Baijiu in anticipation of the battle that was about to commence. 14 days pass since the commanders’ meeting. The People’s Liberation army has made great advancements on the city of Shanghai and once again, Chen Yi and Su Yu gather for a briefing in the midst of what could be their final assault on the city.
“Glad you could meet with me general Yu it’s always a pleasure,” said Chen Yi to his fellow officer
“The pleasure is all mine marshal,” replied General Yu. “So what news do you bring to this briefing today?”
“Well general our offensive on Shanghai has been successful thus far. First, our communist IX troops succeeded in taking Pinghu early on, and even when the defending army called in reinforcements our army managed to cut off the deployment of any additional infantry, thus seizing the region of Zhoupu. Afterward, our communist IX corps engaged the nationalist naval force and gave them no other choice but to withdraw on May 23.”
“Ah yes, I recall that battle. And since then have we rallied the communist IX and X corps for our closing assault of Shanghai?” asked General Yu.
“Yes, sir. The communist IX and X forces are currently engaging the last of the nationalist’s defending forces and have been since the 25th of May.”
“Good, Good. It seems like this could be it, Marshal Yi. Victory is within our grasp and soon we will have a communist nation.”
The two officers chuckle. They briefly engage in casual banter before they are suddenly interrupted by someone at the door of the meeting room. A private peeks his head into the room.
“Commanders, we have confirmation that our forces have successfully eradicated the defending nationalists and have now seized Shanghai. The fight for the city is over,” the private says.
The commanders rejoice. Following this victory, the People’s Liberation army assaults the island of Chongming and claims their absolute victory over the nationalists.