The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) rose to power in China after a long period of struggle and ultimately triumphed over the Kuomintang (KMT) forces in 1949. The party had come a long way since its founding in 1921, when it was a small group of intellectuals who attended the first congress of the CCP in Shanghai. Over the following years, the CCP gradually became more influential and it’s influence began to spread beyond its base in the cities.
The CCP’s rise to power began with the Northern Expedition in 1926 that aimed to reunify China after centuries of warlordism. The expedition was successful and the CCP emerged as one of the strongest political powers in the country. Throughout this period, the CCP worked to build popular support through social and economic initiatives such as land reform, the expansion of educational opportunities, and the improvement of working conditions. These policies attracted millions of people from the countryside to the cause of the CCP, allowing them to quickly expand their membership and influence.
In 1934, the CCP embarked on the Long March to escape the KMT’s encirclement. During this journey, the CCP leadership had the chance to meet with various revolutionary groups and build alliances that would eventually help its cause. When they arrived in Yan’an, the CCP was able to establish a red base with a significant degree of control over the area. This allowed them to develop their own army, the People’s Liberation Army, which soon became an effective fighting force alongside its political organization.
When World War II ended in 1945, the civil war between the KMT and CCP resumed. During this period, the CCP’s superior organization and ability to mobilize the masses allowed it to gain the upper hand. The CCP forces launched the Liaoshen Campaign in 1948 that completely routed the KMT and by May 1949, the KMT was forced to evacuate to Taiwan. The CCP then declared the founding of the People’s Republic of China on October 1, 1949.
The CCP was now firmly in control of China. It quickly implemented a series of reforms to centralize power and consolidate its rule. The party established a one-party state with the CCP at its head and launched campaigns to purge ‘counter-revolutionaries’ and consolidate its power. All other political parties were banned and citizens were encouraged to join the CCP and participate in its activities.
The CCP also initiated a period of economic reform known as the Great Leap Forward. This campaign focused on rapid industrialization and collectivization of agriculture. While these reforms initially helped to boost production, they ultimately led to a period of famine as farmers were unable to keep up with the production targets imposed by the CCP. At the same time, the CCP continued to launch campaigns to further centralize power and eliminate potential threats to its rule.
The CCP has remained in power since 1949, though it has been forced to make several concessions in response to growing pressure both domestically and internationally. Despite these challenges, the CCP has managed to remain firmly in power in China and continues to be the ruling party in the country.