THE CHINESE CIVIL WAR EXPLAINED - CHINESE CIVIL WAR DOCUMENTARY PART 1 - TEN YEAR CIVIL WAR
Summary
TLDRIn 1921, amidst warlord chaos in China, the Communist Party of China (CPC) was founded on a boat in Jiaxing, marking a pivotal moment in history. Backed by the Soviet Union's Comintern, the CPC grew, recruiting workers and forming alliances. Chiang Kai-shek, educated in Moscow, distrusted the left and the CPC, leading to the Canton Coup and the Shanghai Massacre, which shattered the United Front. Despite setbacks, the CPC, led by figures like Zhou Enlai and Mao Zedong, persisted, forming the Red Army and adopting guerrilla warfare. Chiang's focus on the northern expedition and eventual severance of Soviet ties marked the end of the warlord era but the beginning of the Chinese Civil War.
Takeaways
- 🏛️ The year 1921 marked a significant turning point in Chinese history with the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC) on a boat at the South Lake of Jiaxing.
- 🌐 The CPC's growth was supported by the Soviet Union's Communist International (Comintern), which also facilitated an alliance with Sun Yat-sen's Kuomintang (KMT), leading to the formation of the first United Front.
- 🎓 Chiang Kai-shek, a key figure in the KMT, was sent to Moscow for military and political studies, which later positioned him as the head of the Whampoa Military Academy, a crucial institution for the KMT's military strength.
- 🔄 The political landscape of China was complex, with regional warlords holding power and the Beiyang government nominally in control, while Sun Yat-sen's KMT and the CPC vied for influence.
- 🛑 The Canton Coup in 1926, led by Chiang Kai-shek, marked a significant rift between the KMT and the CPC, with the expulsion of communist officers and the solidification of the right-wing faction within the KMT.
- 🗡️ The Northern Expedition, launched by Chiang Kai-shek in 1926, aimed to defeat regional warlords and the Beiyang government, leading to the reunification of China under the KMT.
- 🔫 The Shanghai Massacre of April 1927 was a pivotal event where Chiang Kai-shek's forces, along with local gangs, arrested and executed hundreds of communists, effectively ending the first United Front.
- 🛑 The subsequent purges in Wuhan and Nanjing further fractured the alliance between the KMT and the CPC, with the CPC figures like Zhou Enlai being forced to flee and go underground.
- 🚩 The CPC, under pressure, reorganized and began to mobilize peasants and workers, forming the Chinese Red Army and initiating uprisings, such as the Autumn Harvest Uprising led by Mao Zedong.
- 💥 The failure of the Guangzhou uprising in December 1927 and the subsequent crackdowns led the CPC to adopt guerrilla warfare tactics, marking the beginning of a protracted struggle for power.
- 🌏 The end of the Northern Expedition and the breakdown of relations with the Soviet Union led Chiang Kai-shek to seek financial support from Britain and the United States, setting the stage for the Chinese Civil War.
Q & A
What was the political situation in China in 1921?
-In 1921, China was divided by regional military warlords, with the Beiyang government nominally controlling the Republic but lacking real power, while real power was held by local military cliques.
Who was Sun Yat-sen and what role did he play in the early 20th century?
-Sun Yat-sen was the founder of the Republic of China who originally led the movement against the Qing Dynasty. However, he lost control of the Republic and led the Whampoa Movement to resist the corrupt Beiyang government.
What significant event occurred on July 31, 1921, involving a group of intellectuals?
-On July 31, 1921, a dozen young intellectuals met on a tourist boat on the South Lake of Jiaxing and declared the founding of the Communist Party of China, an event that would significantly alter the course of Chinese history.
How did the Soviet Union support the Communist Party of China (CPC)?
-The Soviet Union, through the Communist International (Comintern), provided backing to the CPC, including recruiting workers living in harsh conditions and offering financial and military support to aid the Kuomintang in its efforts against the Beiyang government.
Who was Chiang Kai-shek and what mission was he given by Sun Yat-sen?
-Chiang Kai-shek was a young person who followed Sun Yat-sen since before the revolution against Imperial rule. Sun Yat-sen sent him to Moscow to study military and political sciences.
What was the significance of the First United Front and how was it formed?
-The First United Front was an alliance between the Kuomintang (KMT) and the Communist Party of China (CPC), formed under the direction of the Comintern, which instructed the CPC to ally with the KMT to consolidate their power against the Beiyang government.
What was the Canton Coup and what were its consequences?
-The Canton Coup, also known as the Zhongshan Warship Incident, was an event where Chiang Kai-shek purged Guangzhou of communist officers in response to suspicions of a coup. This significantly degraded relations with both the left wing of the KMT and the CPC.
What was the Northern Expedition and what were its goals?
-The Northern Expedition was a military campaign launched by Chiang Kai-shek in 1926 to defeat the Beiyang government and reunify China by challenging regional warlords and consolidating power under the KMT.
What was the Shanghai Massacre and how did it impact the relationship between the KMT and the CPC?
-The Shanghai Massacre was an event on April 12, 1927, where troops of the KMT and recruited gangs arrested and executed hundreds of communists. This event shattered the alliance between the KMT and the CPC and led to a significant number of communist sympathizers joining the CPC.
Who was Zhou Enlai and what role did he play during the Northern Expedition?
-Zhou Enlai was a member of the Communist Party who became an instructor at the Whampoa Military Academy and often acted as second-in-command to Chiang Kai-shek. He played a significant part in the strikes and militias that weakened the power of local warlords during the Northern Expedition.
What was the outcome of the various uprisings led by the Communist Party after the Shanghai Massacre?
-The various uprisings led by the Communist Party, including the Autumn Harvest Uprising and the Guangzhou Uprising, were ultimately suppressed by the National Revolutionary Army. However, these events solidified the CPC's determination to seize power and led to the formation of the Chinese Red Army.
Outlines
🏛️ Founding of the Communist Party of China
In 1921, amidst the chaos of warlordism in China, intellectuals influenced by Western politics convened on a boat in Jiaxing, South Lake, and founded the Communist Party of China (CPC). Unbeknownst to them, they were setting the stage for a monumental shift in history. The CPC grew with the support of the Soviet Union's Comintern, recruiting workers and forming alliances. Sun Yat-sen, founder of the Republic of China, led the Whampoa Movement against the Beiyang Government and sent Chiang Kai-shek to study in Moscow. Upon his return, Chiang became the head of the Whampoa Military Academy, which was financed by the Soviets. The CPC joined the Kuomintang (KMT), forming the first United Front. However, internal tensions and Chiang's distrust of the left wing and the CPC led to the Canton Coup, purging communist officers and straining relations with the CPC.
🛡️ The Northern Expedition and the Shanghai Massacre
Chiang Kai-shek, distrusting the left wing of the KMT and the CPC, initiated the Northern Expedition in 1926 to reunify China by defeating regional warlords and the Beiyang Government. Despite initial successes, including the capture of Shanghai and Nanjing, the alliance between the KMT and CPC was shattered by the Shanghai Massacre, where Chiang's troops and Shanghai gangs arrested and executed hundreds of communists. This led to a wave of communist sympathizers joining the CPC, and the CPC began to organize its own forces, including the formation of the Chinese Red Army. The subsequent 7:15 Incident saw further purges of communists, forcing many, including Zhou Enlai, to go underground. The Red Army, though initially successful in uprisings, faced setbacks and had to retreat to the countryside, adopting guerrilla warfare tactics.
📢 Conclusion and Call to Action
The video concludes with the end of the Northern Expedition and the beginning of the Chinese Civil War. Chiang Kai-shek severed ties with the Soviet Union, which reassured Britain and the United States, leading to financial support for the KMT. The video invites viewers to like, subscribe, and comment with any questions they may have, ending with a musical note.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Regional Military Warlords
💡Sun Yat-sen
💡Communist Party of China (CPC)
💡Kuomintang (KMT)
💡Chiang Kai-shek
💡Northern Expedition
💡Comintern
💡Zhang Zuolin
💡Shanghai Massacre
💡Guangzhou Soviet
💡Chinese Civil War
Highlights
1921 saw China divided by regional warlords, with the Beiyang government holding nominal control.
Sun Yat-sen led the Whampoa Movement against the corrupt Beiyang government.
The Communist Party of China was founded on July 31st on a boat in Jiaxing.
The CPC grew with support from the Soviet Union's Comintern, recruiting workers in harsh conditions.
Chiang Kai-shek was sent to Moscow for military and political studies, influencing the formation of the first United Front.
The Whampoa Military Academy was established with Soviet financing, integrating CPC members into the Kuomintang.
Zhou Enlai became an instructor at the Academy, later playing a significant role in the political landscape.
Chiang Kai-shek purged Guangzhou to consolidate power, leading to strained relations with the CPC.
The Northern Expedition was launched in 1926 to reunify China and defeat the Beiyang government.
The CPC and left-wing Kuomintang collaborated despite internal distrust, contributing to the Northern Expedition's success.
The Shanghai Massacre on April 12, 1927, marked a turning point with the execution of many communists.
Zhou Enlai's unexpected release and escape to Wuhan signified a shift in communist strategy.
Chiang Kai-shek declared Nanjing the new capital, signaling a break from the left-wing Kuomintang.
The CPC organized the Chinese Red Army, marking the beginning of a guerrilla warfare approach.
The Autumn Harvest Uprising led by Mao Zedong was suppressed, but the Red Army persisted.
The Guangzhou Soviet rebellion in December 1927 was crushed, but the Red Army's determination grew.
Chiang Kai-shek severed ties with the Soviet Union, gaining financial support from Britain and the US.
The end of the Northern Expedition and the start of the Chinese Civil War marked a new era of conflict.
Transcripts
the year is 1921 China is torn apart by
regional military warlords in every
province
although the post dynastic Bay young
government controls the Republic the
military clicks hold true power locally
in parallel Sun yat-sen who originally
founded the Republic but lost its
control leads the warming Tung a
movements to resist the corrupt and
incompetent Bay young government in all
this turmoil the young intellectuals of
the nation study Western politics in
modern academies or foreign schools on
the 31st of July a dozen of them meet on
a tourist boat on the south lake of gia
steam and declare the founding of the
Communist Party of China they are
unaware that they have changed the
course of history
the Communist Party grew steadily backed
by the Soviet Union's Communist
international also known as Comintern
recruiting many workers living in harsh
conditions the Soviet Union also agreed
to help the flourishing calming tongue
in its efforts against the bay young
government providing money and military
equipment Sun yat-sen gave a mission to
a young person who had followed him
since before the revolution against
Imperial rule that man was chiang
kai-shek
he was sent to Moscow to study military
and political sciences meanwhile the
Comintern told the CPC to make an
alliance with the warming tongue thus
the first United Front was born upon
Chang's returned in 1924 he became head
of the newly founded one power Military
Academy financed by the Soviets many
individuals of the Communist Party
joined the Kuomintang that reached over
fifty thousand members one of them Joe
Enlai even became an instructor in the
Academy often acting as
second-in-command
after Chiang kai-shek keep an eye on him
as he'll play an important role later on
finally the Kuomintang had an army
baptized the National Revolutionary Army
it could now challenge warlords and the
Bey young government an event would
however disturb the collaboration of the
Chinese Communist Party and the coaming
Tung condemning the nation to the next
few decades at the age of 58 Sun yat-sen
the father of the Republic died of
illness the calming tongues leadership
was split between a left-wing faction
led by winding way and the right wing
led by Ho Chi Minh true power was
however held by Chiang kai-shek leader
of the national revolutionary army
although educated in Moscow he
distrusted the left wing as well as the
Communist Party of China on the 20th of
March 1926 in order to reduce their
influence and consolidate his power
Chang purged Guangzhou the capital city
of the resistance government and
headquarters of the calling tongue of
communist officers in response to
suspicions of an imminent coup Joe and
Lai who is still an instructor of the
academy was therefore expelled among
many others the one power academy was
now firmly at the hands of the right
wing faction of the warming tank the
event known as
the Canton COO greatly degraded
relations with both the left wing and
the Communist Party Chiang officially
took leadership of the Kuomintang on the
6th of July 1926 just three days later
he launched the northern expedition the
military campaign to defeat the bay
young government and finally reunified
China the Communist Party of China was
however post to it as well as wanting
ways left-wing of the warming tongue but
in an effort to put an end to the
warlord era they however complied and
collaborated on the expedition three
major coalition's that against them will
pay for that the Jurlique lee a seasoned
general nicknamed the jade marshal
directly to the north son trent fung the
Nanking world also member of the jelly
click to the northeast but most
importantly they had to defeat Zhang
tahleen the great martial head of the
function click and master of the bay
young government he held great territory
including Beijing Singh doll and the
whole of Manchuria Chiang kai-shek
leaving the NRA marched north and
promptly defeated will pay for whose
armies disintegrated by September 1926
wallpaper would no longer be a threat to
the Warmington
in the intent of centralizing the
Revolutionary Government Chiang kai-shek
moved the capital city from Canton to
Wuhan City there had been taken from
what a fool
winding way head of the left wing of the
corny Tang stayed for administration in
the city and Chiang kai-shek moved east
to pursue his campaign in the end of
September 1926 he began offensive
strikes against sultry and fun who
controlled what remained of the jellied
Lee but had to ask from help from Zhang
d'orléans function click that sent
reinforcements furthermore many local
officers defected to the warming tongue
and kameena strikes as well as armed
militias organized by the Communist
Party broke out in major cities such as
Shanghai
Joanne Lai located in Shanghai took a
significant part in the strikes and
militias as they significantly weakened
the power of local warlords by the 22nd
of March 1927
Shanghai had been captured by Chiang
kai-shek's forces Nanjing was captured
the following day the jelly cleek was
now defeated and only Jung Doyle in room
to eliminate in order to unify China on
the 5th of April wanting way leader of
the war hang government came to the
strongly communist influence Shanghai
and met with the leader of the Communist
Party
Chandu Shah they officially reaffirmed
the United Front and cooperation at the
warning tongue and Communist Party they
were however both unaware that troubling
events were about to shatter the
alliance
in early April Chiang kai-shek and the
right wing of the warming Tung came to
the conclusion that the Communists were
counter-revolutionary in their
destructive social and economical
policies at dawn on the 12th of April
troops of the warming Tung and many
recruited gangs of Shanghai including
the powerful green gang rounded up and
arrested hundreds of communists they
were summarily executed in what would be
remembered as the Shanghai Massacre Joe
and Lai who had been arrested were
surprisingly released and he escaped to
Wuhan shocked many communist
sympathizers from the warming Tung left
to join the Communist Party one Jingwei
in Wuhan declared Chiang kai-shek
stripped of all power and that he was
now the leader of the warning Tong
however with barely any military power
these statements were in name only
in response Chiang kai-shek declared
nanjing the new capital of the
revolutionary government his forces
pressured wang jingwei in the Han
consequently in July 1 comply to Chang's
the man and ordered a local purge of
communists known as the 7:15 incident Jo
and light and many other CPC figures
were forced to go on the ground
later wanting way John Chiang in Nanjing
and the war hang government was
dissolved leaving only Nanjing as seat
of power of the Warmington thinking the
issue was resolved Chiang started
preparations to pursue the northern
expedition against the remaining
Warlord's however the common turn back
CPC now determined not to let the
Shanghai massacre unpunished organized
itself across southern China
Joanne light and other communist figures
started to stir unrest inciting
destitute peasants and workers to join
their ranks soon 20,000 improvised
soldiers were led by the Communist Party
this force was to become the Chinese Red
Army communist sympathizers from the
worming tongue and National
Revolutionary Army also defected to the
communist forces such as her long
this allowed the Communist Party to
acquire superior weapons as they were
planning to march on Guangzhou Chiang
kai-shek sent several superior officers
to suppress the uprising one of them
drew the leading NRA soldiers however
also affected and joined the Red Army
with his troops the city of nan Chang
the Communists on the 1st of August but
a few days later the Red Army had to
retreat when the National Revolutionary
Army reinforcements arrived a month
later another group of the Red Army led
an insurrection its leader was a 33 year
old ex student starting his military
career who had a clear vision of what
communism should be his name was Marta
thorn this movement known as the autumn
harvest stopped rising was averse
oppressed by the national revolutionary
army finally a third rebellion in
December 1927 tried to capture Guangzhou
during the night of the 11th of December
more than 20,000 soldiers and armed
workers prepared the insurrection
executing anyone from within disagreeing
on the rebellion around noon on the next
day the insurgents managed to capture
the city defeating the light garrison
and proclaimed the Guangzhou Soviets
however thousands of NRA soldiers were
located around the city led by Jiang
Parkway the general who had served as
SUNY intense personal bodyguards and
defeated will pay fools armies his
troops were further reinforced by five
more divisions the Communists were
utterly crushed with less than a
thousand managing to escape although the
Chinese Red Army was now disorganized
and on the run it was more determined
than ever before to seize power by any
means open battles and urban fights were
no longer a good strategy so it would
have to rely on guerrilla warfare
tactics following the repression on
communism Chiang kai-shek ended all
remaining relations with the Soviet
Union Britain and the US were reassured
by this and started helping the
Warmington financially Chiang kai-shek
did not consider the Red Army a priority
in the intent of finally ending the
northern expedition his eyes were set on
the Bey young government controlled
Beijing the warlord era was at an end
but the Chinese Civil War had just
started thank you for watching my video
I hope you enjoyed it and if so please
leave a like and subscribe to the
channel if you have any questions please
leave them in a comment section below
[Music]
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