THE FOUNDING OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA - CHINESE CIVIL WAR DOCUMENTARY PART 3

Summary

This video script narrates the turbulent history of the Chinese Civil War, detailing the conflict between the Communist Party and the Nationalist Party after World War II. From the surrender of Japan to the establishment of the People's Republic of China, the script covers key military campaigns, political negotiations, and the eventual Communist victory. It highlights the strategic maneuvers, international involvement, and the human cost of the war, culminating in the retreat of the Nationalists to Taiwan and the lasting impact on China's political landscape.

Takeaways

• 📜 The Chinese Civil War series recommends watching parts 1 or 2 for context.
• 🏳️ In 1945, Japan surrendered, ending over 14 years of aggression in China.
• 🤝 A brief peace occurred, but tensions soon resumed between Nationalists and Communists.
• 🗡️ The Shandong Campaign saw initial Nationalist success, but Communist ambush tactics turned the tide.
• 📄 The Double Tenth Agreement recognized both parties but failed to resolve deeper issues.
• 🛑 An armistice was signed in January 1946, but hostilities soon resumed.
• 🚀 Soviet withdrawal from Manchuria in 1946 led to a scramble for control between Nationalists and Communists.
• ⚔️ By July 1946, Chiang Kai-shek ordered a massive attack on Communist forces.
• 🔄 The Communists employed guerrilla tactics, gradually gaining the upper hand.
• 🏴 By 1948, the Communists were making significant territorial gains, leading to the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949.
• ✈️ Chiang Kai-shek and Nationalist forces retreated to Taiwan, marking the end of major conflicts on the mainland.

Q & A

What was the outcome of the Japanese aggression in China in 1945?

The Empire of Japan was defeated by the Allied forces, and the last remnants of the Imperial Japanese Army in China unconditionally surrendered to the Chinese Nationalist forces led by Chiang Kai-shek on September 9th, 1945.

What was the initial conflict between the People's Liberation Army and the Nationalist troops after the surrender of Japan?

There were a few clashes between the Chinese Communist forces, recently reorganized as the People's Liberation Army, and some Nationalist troops, who were nominally under Chiang Kai-shek but often controlled by warlords that had collaborated with Japan.

What was the purpose of the Shangdong campaign launched by General Yan Xishan?

The Shangdong campaign aimed to destroy the communist base in the San Shi region, which was controlled by the Communist leader, Luo Ronghuan.

What was the significance of the 'Double Tenth Agreement' signed on October 10th, 1945?

The 'Double Tenth Agreement' was a political accord between the Chinese Nationalists and the Chinese Communists, where the Nationalists recognized the Communist Party as an opposition party, and the Communists recognized the Nationalist government as the legitimate government of China.

How did the United States intervene in the conflict between the Nationalists and Communists in China?

The United States intervened by dispatching George Marshall in December 1945 in an attempt to mediate the conflict and unify the country. An armistice was signed between the Nationalists and Communists on January 10th, 1946, ending hostilities.

What was the strategic significance of Manchuria in the lead-up to the full-scale Chinese Civil War?

Manchuria was strategically significant as it was a region of intense competition between the Chinese Communist Party and the Nationalist government to occupy after the Soviet forces began to retreat from the area post-World War II.

What was the turning point for the People's Liberation Army in the Chinese Civil War?

The turning point was in December 1947 when Mao Zedong declared that the Chinese People's Revolutionary War had reached a turning point, with the main forces of the People's Liberation Army carrying the fight into the Kuomintang-controlled areas.

What was the outcome of the Pingjin Campaign?

The Pingjin Campaign resulted in the fall of Beijing to the People's Liberation Army, with the Nationalist general Fu Zuoyi surrendering the city without a fight, effectively bringing the north and east of China under Communist control.

What was the international response to the establishment of the People's Republic of China on October 1st, 1949?

The new country was rapidly recognized by other countries of the communist bloc, but the United Nations continued to recognize the Republic of China as the legitimate government of the country.

What was the final outcome of the Chinese Civil War and where did the Nationalist government retreat to?

The final outcome of the Chinese Civil War was the victory of the Communist Party, with the Nationalist government retreating to Taiwan, where they gradually centralized resources and established a new base of operations.

What was the impact of the Korean War on the Chinese Civil War?

The outbreak of the Korean War allowed the Communists to shift their focus elsewhere, effectively bringing some peace to the Chinese people for the first time in decades.

Outlines

00:00

🏹 The Prelude to the Chinese Civil War

This paragraph sets the stage for the Chinese Civil War, detailing the aftermath of Japan's defeat in 1945 and the emerging tensions between the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the Nationalist Party (Kuomintang). It describes the initial skirmishes between the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and Nationalist troops, the political maneuvering by Chiang Kai-shek, and the strategic moves by both parties to gain control over China. The paragraph also covers the negotiations between Mao Zedong and Chiang Kai-shek, resulting in the Double Tenth Agreement, and the subsequent breakdown of these talks, leading to a full-scale conflict.

05:01

🌐 The Escalation of the Chinese Civil War

This section delves into the intensification of the civil war, highlighting the strategies employed by both the PLA and the National Revolutionary Army. It discusses the PLA's use of guerrilla warfare and the Nationalists' initial advantages in numbers and equipment. The paragraph also covers the political efforts to establish a coalition government, the involvement of US mediators like George Marshall and John Leighton Stuart, and the eventual failure of these peace talks. Key events such as the fall of Yan'an to the Nationalists and the Communists' shift to guerrilla tactics are also summarized, along with the Nationalists' loss of initiative and the PLA's growing strength.

10:01

🏙️ The Turning Tide and the Communist Advance

This paragraph marks a significant shift in the war, with the PLA making substantial territorial gains and the Nationalists experiencing a decline in morale and resources. It outlines the Communists' successful reorganization and the incorporation of surrendered Nationalist troops, as well as their effective propaganda that swayed popular support. The narrative includes the establishment of the North China People's Government, the capture of Manchuria, and the strategic campaigns that led to the PLA's control over eastern and central China. The paragraph also describes the Nationalists' desperate attempts to negotiate and the ultimate collapse of their southern defenses.

15:04

🔴 The Fall of Nationalist China and the Establishment of the PRC

The final paragraph encapsulates the dramatic conclusion of the Chinese Civil War, with the PLA's unstoppable advance and the Nationalists' retreat to Taiwan. It details the fall of key cities, the surrender of large Nationalist forces, and the political upheaval that led to the establishment of the People's Republic of China on October 1, 1949. The summary also touches on the international response to the new communist government, the Nationalists' continued resistance from Taiwan, and the lasting impact of the war on China's political landscape and its people.

Keywords

💡Chinese Civil War

The Chinese Civil War refers to the conflict between the Nationalist Party (Kuomintang) and the Communist Party of China that lasted intermittently between 1927 and 1949. In the video, it is the central theme, detailing the events that led to the Communist Party's victory and the establishment of the People's Republic of China.

💡People's Liberation Army (PLA)

The People's Liberation Army is the armed forces of the Communist Party of China. In the script, the PLA is highlighted as the military force that fought against the Nationalist troops, employing guerrilla tactics and eventually emerging victorious in the civil war.

💡Chiang Kai-shek

Chiang Kai-shek was the leader of the Nationalist Party and the head of the Republic of China during the Chinese Civil War. The script describes his anti-communist stance, his efforts to negotiate peace, and his eventual retreat to Taiwan after the defeat of his forces.

💡Mao Zedong

Mao Zedong was the founding father of the People's Republic of China and the leader of the Communist Party of China. The script portrays Mao as a key figure in the negotiations and military strategies that led to the Communist Party's success in the civil war.

💡Japanese Aggression

The term 'Japanese Aggression' in the script refers to the period of Japanese invasion and occupation of parts of China during the Second Sino-Japanese War, which lasted from 1937 to 1945. The script mentions the end of this aggression as a backdrop to the beginning of the full-scale Chinese Civil War.

💡Double Tenth Agreement

The Double Tenth Agreement was a ceasefire agreement signed between the Nationalists and the Communists in 1945. The script describes it as an attempt to establish peace and political cooperation between the two parties, which ultimately failed, leading to the resumption of hostilities.

💡George Marshall

George Marshall was an American statesman and military leader who attempted to mediate the conflict between the Nationalists and the Communists in China. The script notes his efforts in trying to establish an armistice and his eventual frustration with the unyielding positions of both parties.

💡Manchuria

Manchuria is a historical region in northeastern China that played a significant role in the civil war. The script describes it as a strategic area where both the Nationalists and the Communists competed for control, which eventually fell to the Communists.

💡National Revolutionary Army

The National Revolutionary Army was the military force of the Nationalist Party during the Chinese Civil War. The script depicts it as initially having superior numbers and equipment but ultimately losing to the PLA in various campaigns.

💡People's War

People's War is a military strategy that emphasizes the use of guerrilla tactics and the mobilization of the general population to resist a larger, more conventional military force. The script explains how the PLA employed this strategy to wear down the National Revolutionary Army.

💡People's Republic of China

The People's Republic of China is the official name of the country established by the Communist Party after their victory in the civil war. The script culminates with its proclamation on October 1, 1949, marking the end of the civil war and the beginning of Communist rule in China.

Highlights

Introduction to the Chinese Civil War series and the importance of watching previous parts for context.

In 1945, after 14 years of Japanese aggression, Japan was defeated, leading to the surrender of Japanese forces in China.

The surrender of Japanese forces in Manchuria was complicated by the involvement of the Soviet Union and led to further tensions.

Clashes between the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and nationalist forces began immediately after Japan's surrender.

Chiang Kai-shek, leader of the Kuomintang (KMT), was determined to continue anti-communist policies post-WWII.

Mao Zedong and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) prepared for a full-scale takeover of China.

The Shandong Campaign was launched by nationalist general Yan Xishan, aiming to destroy communist bases.

The Double Tenth Agreement was signed, recognizing both parties but failed to maintain peace.

In March 1946, the Soviet forces began retreating from Manchuria, leading to a power struggle between the CCP and KMT.

The CCP used guerrilla tactics to gain ground, with popular support from promises of land and better life.

The United States attempted to mediate peace but struggled due to the determination of both Chinese factions to maintain power.

By late 1948, the People's Liberation Army had secured control over Manchuria, shifting focus to the south.

The proclamation of the People's Republic of China on October 1, 1949, marked a turning point in the war.

The KMT retreated to Taiwan as the CCP took control over mainland China, with Chiang Kai-shek moving his government.

The war ended by late 1950, with significant casualties and a reshaping of China's political landscape.

Transcripts

hello everyone and welcome back to my

channel this video is the first part of

my Chinese Civil War series so I

strongly recommend watching parts 1 or 2

if you haven't already has to catch up

with this timeline links will be

provided in the description below thank

you for watching and I hope you enjoy

1945 after over 14 years of Japanese

aggression the Empire of Japan was

defeated by the Allied forces the last

remnants of the Imperial Japanese Army

in China unconditionally surrendered to

the warming Tung on the 9th of September

in a northeast region of Manchuria where

the calming Tang had no forces the

Imperial Japanese army was ordered to

surrender to the Soviet Union the

occasion for peace in Chinese territory

had finally come after decades of war

such would however not be the case a few

clashes occurred at the end of the war

between the Chinese communist forces

recently reorganized as the People's

Liberation Army and some nationalist

troops these nationalist soldiers

however only served nominally under the

Cormack tongue and were rarely under the

control of warlords that had

collaborated with Japan under the flag

of Japanese controlled puppet States

Chiang kai-shek leader of the warming

Tong and however not forgotten his

anti-communist policy from before the

war and got ready to continue his

repression in parallel Malta Dawn was

making preparations for a full-scale

communist takeover of China the Shroud

of war would soon envelop the country

again

on the 10th of September just one day

after the unconditional Japanese

surrender nationalist general yen

session the cunning officer veteran of

the Republicans in high revolution who

had managed to recruit thousands of ex

Japanese soldiers into his armies

launched the Shangdong campaign in san

shi region the objective was to destroy

the communist base in the area

controlled by Leo bortron initially

successful with much better equipment

tides turned when the Communists started

to use ambush tactics and the n's forces

were gradually killed or captured

meanwhile Chiang kai-shek had invited

martyrdom in Chongqing the official

capital of the country at the time to

negotiations and talks about the future

of the country

Mao arrived on the 27th of August

alongside Patrick Hurley ambassador of

the US and the talks went on for over a

month many subjects were discussed and

the two faction leaders came to agree on

several terms as a result the double

tenth agreement was signed on the 10th

of October officially the warming Tung

recognized the Chinese Communist Party

as an opposition party the Chinese

Communist Party recognized the warming

tongue as a legitimate government yes

each and sangdong campaign was also put

to an end

having resulted overall in the decisive

communist victory the father discussed

many issues that were still unresolved

committees from both parties were formed

for future talks

unfortunately fighting resumed between

the People's Liberation Army and

National Revolutionary Army before they

could meet the United States intervene

again by dispatching in December George

Marshall in an attempt to mediate the

conflict and unify the country an

armistice was signed between the

nationalist and communist on the 10th of

January 1946 ending hostilities efforts

for peace were made on both sides by

officials of the Communist Party and

calming tongue but in reality neither

Martha dawn nor Chiang kai-shek was

ready to concede any power to the other

an event would disturb the fragile

status quo in march 1946 the soviet

forces from the USSR that was still

stationed in china after world war ii

began to retreat from

Shriya leading to a race between the

Chinese Communist Party and calming

tongue to occupy the region and its key

points the Communists already had a

strong presence in the north of

Manchuria as they had been fighting

guerrilla tactics against the Japanese

during the war while the Nationalists

were fighting in the rest of the country

fearing a strengthening of the communist

influence the United States airlifted

troops of the National Revolutionary

Army to make sure the Kuomintang could

assert as much control in the area as

possible this scramble for Manchuria

inevitably led to a peak in the tensions

between the two parties and both leaders

grew nervous eventually on the 20th of

July 1946 Chiang kai-shek ordered a full

attack of over 1.6 million troops on the

communist forces

[Music]

the calming tongue and both the larger

army counseling approximately four

million troops in total and a much

better equipment than a Chinese

Communist Party who counted only about

1.3 million regulars with two million

militias in the People's Liberation Army

however popular support with promises of

utopian life from the communist

agitators strongly favored the

Communists the People's Liberation Army

realized it could not withstand the

attacks of the warming tank forces

therefore mods are dong used the same

tactics he had during the first phase of

the civil war his forces slowly withdrew

as the National Revolutionary Army

troops advanced wearing them out and

avoiding casualties a strategy known as

the People's War the communist leader

was also reorganizing and making

preparations to ensure the communist

flag would soon fly over all of China

the United States while still funding

the warming tong was also trying to

maintain peace in the Far East hoping a

coalition government could be

established in August George Marshall

was therefore joined by john leighton

stuart the newly appointed US ambassador

they attempted to resume discussions

between the two parties without success

in September 1946 the calming tong this

he'd Calgon modern-day junkie are all

very close to Beijing and a major

communist stronghold the Communists were

unable to have stand the assault and the

city fell on the 11th of October as a

result of this loss of influence Joanne

Lai a major figure in the Chinese

Communist Party and a brilliant

politician returned to nan ting the

restored capital of the Republic to

resume talks for the warming Sun Chiang

kai-shek in an effort to create a

coalition government tried to convince

the Communist Party and other political

groups to join his national assembly he

therefore ordered a ceasefire by

December 1946 however the National

Assembly started drafting a new

constitution for the Republic of China

without neither the Communist Party nor

the other minor political groups word it

was ratified soon after consequently

Joanne Lai and the Communist Party's

delegation left the capital city

entirely they demanded the nullification

of the Constitution

and the establishment of the military

positions both sides held at the

beginning of the year before the

Manchuria events but were denied by the

warming tongue by now George Marshall

was fed up of the stubbornness of Chiang

kai-shek and mods at dawn and he gave up

on his mission and left China in early

1947 with the talks between the two

parties going nowhere the People's

Liberation Army resumed their guerrilla

warfare attacks in Manchuria by March

1947 also giving up on attempts to

negotiate Chiang kai-shek

officially charged the Chinese Communist

Party with armed rebellion and swore to

eradicate sit conditions over all still

favored the Warmington the National

Revolutionary Army captured the yen on

becoming a symbolic capital on the 19th

of March 1947 Benway high and the anti

in October inflicting significant

strategic losses to the Communists in

Manchuria though the nationalist forces

could not achieve victory against the

People's Liberation Army as propaganda

efforts made by the communists grew

increasingly the tides starting to turn

in Manchuria martyrdom leading the

People's Liberation Army made

significant progress capturing more and

more territory and by December he

declared the Chinese People's

Revolutionary War has now reached a

turning points the main forces of the

People's Liberation Army have carried

the fight into the Kuomintang area this

is a turning point in history

[Music]

in early 1948 the warming tongue started

to slowly lose the initiative on all

fronts

the advantage had previously held in

both numbers and equipments diminished

and eventually was reversed martyr dong

usually incorporated warming Tung troops

that had surrendered into the People's

Liberation Army boosting his numbers and

acquiring better arms on the civilian

side by promising to peasants in the

countryside to give them land in

exchange for participating in the war

efforts and by confiscating property and

money from the wealthiest the People's

Liberation Army and budgets increased

exponentially inevitably the People's

Liberation Army was making progress on

the 1st of September the Communist Party

founded the North China People's

Government a predecessor to the People's

Republic increasing its political status

little by little all of Manchuria fell

on the Communists control with the last

major city möchten or modern-day

Shenyang being captured by the

Communists in early November 1948

concluding the lee unshin campaign

Manchuria was communist having secured

the Northeast the Chinese Communist

Party shifted its focus to the west and

south it was time to pursue new

campaigns over the next couple of months

the People's Liberation Army's high high

campaign was secured communist control

on the east and central regions of China

leaving to the Nationalists only a

pocket of resistance of tintin and

Beijing in order to incorporate this

area people's liberation army generals

designated the ping ting campaign it

rapidly saw Chiang Jaco another forming

Sun controlled cities fall against the

unstoppable communist forces many

offices of the coaming Tong were now

intimidated and morale was wavering

since all hope was fading in the pocket

of resistance

food saw Yi the nationalist general in

charge of the defense of the area

secretly started to negotiate with the

Communists in mid-december going against

all Lawler's of the arduous capture of

tenzin on the 15th of December Beijing

found itself completely isolated food

saw Yi taking the situation as hopeless

decided to surrender with all his

garrison of over all quarter million men

without a fight by the 31st

December Beijing the historical capital

of the Empire fell under the red flag of

Malta thorn the people's liberation army

marched in triumphantly with no

casualties Mao Zedong's portrait was

hung over Tienanmen square gates

replacing that of Chiang kai-shek all

the north and east of China was now

under communist control as far to the

north China People's Government

[Music]

nationalist China was now in dire

straits public opinion was extremely bad

for a series of reason the war effort

had sapped the economy with

hyperinflation as more money had been

print sent living conditions of the

population had become ridiculously

expensive and strikes were common

paralyzing the industry even more

conscription and drafting to increase

the size of the National Revolutionary

Army divided families corruption was

widespread the warming tank began

talking of negotiations again it asks

the big for a post-world War two Council

composed of nationalist China the US

Britain and the Soviet Union to mediate

the conflict frustrated that their

previous failed attempts to do so the

u.s. replied it would be futile the USSR

on the other hand led by Joseph Stalin

favored the coalition government for

China the Soviet dictator asked mods our

door not to cross the Yangtze and pursue

the campaigns further south Mao agreed

to negotiate on their series of aid

conditions that essentially put the CPC

in power and opposed the warming Tung

Chiang kai-shek resigned from his

position of President of the Republic of

China on the 21st of January due to the

military failures he had endured he was

replaced by the vice president li

zongren who desperately tried to

negotiate better conditions with the

Chinese Communist Party during this

period of ceasefire the People's

Liberation Army reorganized itself

across the yanked sea preparing to

invade South Mao's conditions became

even harder and leads Aldrin losing the

support of much of the warming Tung for

trying to cooperate realized he could

never accept them a Chinese Communist

Party launched an ultimatum on the 17th

of April 1949 giving the Nationalists

to answer the proposition with regrets

Lee dongjun formally refused the treaty

on the 19th of April and within a few

hours the people's liberation army

poured south across the Yangtze the

whole nationalist fleet in several

Warmington Garrison's immediately

surrendered to the Communists of the

Nationalists defenses collapsing Chiang

kai-shek who still had support of most

of the Kuomintang order the full general

retreats even further south abandoning

his capital of Nanjing for Guangzhou or

Canton

the symbolic capital and birthplace at

the Warmington Nanjing left undefended

was therefore taken by the People's

Liberation Army on the 23rd of April

coincidentally the communist forces

fired upon the hms amethyst a British

ship moving from Shanghai to Nanjing

launching a diplomatic incident

nationalist forces helped the British

with boats to evacuate to the shore and

the ship managed to escape honor to

cover a darkness over three months later

in the weeks that followed the communist

forces swept through the south and west

and it was clear by now that the

Nationalists had already lost yet in a

state of determination and perhaps

denial they kept fighting on after

months of preparation on the 1st of

October 1949 all the communist figures

gathered in baiting martyrdom officially

proclaimed the People's Republic of

China the new country was rapidly

recognized by other countries of the

communist bloc

[Music]

[Music]

although the United Nations only still

recognize the Republic of China as

legitimate government of the country

this was a major blow to the warming

tongue nine days later as the People's

Liberation Army was getting closer and

closer

the warming Tung relocated his capitals

are sitting back to Chongqing where it

had been during the war against Japan a

large disorganized retreats took place

malls at thorn helping to capture Taiwan

where the Nationalists were gradually

centralizing resources all that the

Battle of Kornienko its objective was to

capture the tinman

Islands about 2 kilometers of the

mainland coast and blocking their way to

Taiwan in the surprise turn of events

the Nationalists were able to repel the

People's Liberation Army for the first

time in months the tinman Islands stayed

in nationalist hands cutting short

communists ambitions on Taiwan they are

still today part of the Republic of

China things were however not so bright

for the Nationalists on the continent on

the 24th of November 1949 faced with

inevitable People's Liberation Army

advances the seeds of the warming Sun

government was shifted again this time

to Chengdu and finally on December 8 the

Nationalists designated by Bay

provincial capital of Taiwan as capital

city of the Republic of China operations

for final general retreat to the island

began last bastions of nationalist

resistance in mainland China gradually

crumbles when a People's Liberation Army

lay siege to Toronto in early December

1949 Chiang kai-shek personally

commanded the defense of the city

desperately trying to hold on but by the

10th of December it was undeniable that

a time had come to retreat Chiang

kai-shek and his son Chiang ching-kuo

song the national anthem of the Republic

of China at the Chengdu Military Academy

and would then airlifted to Taiwan

it was the last day the nationalist

leader would ever see the mainland about

two million soldiers had retreated in

the exodus to Taiwan alongside great

numbers of proclaiming tongue or

anti-communist civilians a few final

islands beside Kingman still held on in

nationalist hands but in 1950 fell to

Hainan was captured in April Josh an

inmate and the one-ton archipelago by

August although no peace treaty was ever

signed by late 1950 the Chinese Civil

War had ended but had scarred and torn

China apart and the Communist side

between one and two million people were

killed or wounded over 600,000

corrington troops died in combat and at

least six million more were captured by

the People's Liberation Army more

importantly the people suffered terribly

and with five million civilian deaths

occurred due to the conflict both sides

uncontested the situation made plans to

pursue to war until the end but a

breaking of the Korean War allowed the

Communists Caviezel his fight to shift

elsewhere finally bringing some peace to

the Chinese people for the first time in

decades

thank you for watching my video I hope

you enjoyed it if so please leave a like

and subscribe to the channel if you have

any questions feel free to leave them in

a comment section below

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