The Long March was a decisive event in modern Chinese history, often described as the epic journey of almost one million Chinese soldiers and civilians led by the Communist Party of China (CPC). It took place from October of 1934 to October of 1935 and was a formidable event in Chinese history that demonstrated and solidified the CPC’s strength and power.
The Long March was led by CPC members Mao Zedong, Zhu De, and Zhang Guotao. Mao Zedong was the main leader and commander-in-chief of the Long March and was the most prominent leader of the Chinese Communist Party. Through his leadership and personality, he was able to gain and maintain the trust of the other members, as well as rally the support and loyalty of the troops and ensure their discipline and focus. Zhu De, another leader of the CPC, served as the overall commander of military operations during the Long March, while Zhang Guotao was in charge of the political, organizational, and logistical aspects.
The Long March began in October 1934 as an attempt to outmaneuver and escape the encirclement of the Chinese Nationalist army by Chiang Kai-shek. The Nationalist army had been dispatched to wipe out the Communists and had surrounded their main base in Jiangxi province. The communists needed to break through the lines and flee to northern Shaanxi province, where they might successfully regroup and rebuild their strength.
The march became a grueling ordeal for the Communist forces. They walked for 8,000 miles across some of the most challenging terrain in Asia, often without adequate food or shelter. In total, it took them a full year to reach Shaanxi province. During the journey, the CPC forces encountered numerous obstacles such as desert wastes, steep mountains, deep river valleys, and icy mountain passes. To make matters worse, they faced frequent attacks from hostile forces all along the way.
Despite the extreme conditions and hardships, the CPC managed to emerge from the Long March with their numbers relatively intact and their morale unbroken. In addition, the arduous journey had succeeded in evading and eluding the much larger and better equipped Nationalist forces.
Upon completing the Long March, the CPC conducted multiple reorganizations and political campaigns, which resulted in strengthening the party’s mass base and eventually allowed the CPC to gain control over large parts of China. The Long March also provided the opposition forces with a new opportunity to launch a political campaign and rally the people behind the communists. The Long March, then, played a pivotal role in solidifying communist rule and setting the stage for the rise of the People’s Republic of China.
The Long March was a legendary event in Chinese history that sparked great admiration and respect for the courage and determination of the Communist forces. The march and its effects served to demonstrate the strength and resilience of the CPC, which managed to survive in spite of devastating odds. The march ultimately enabled the CPC to become a powerful force in China and laid the groundwork for its final victory in 1949. It is no wonder, then, that the Long March is remembered today as a defining moment in China’s modern history.