Their Journey on the Long March (click to enlarge)
In 1934, Chiang surrounded the Communists, but Mao's' arm, the PLA, broke through and began the Long March. It ended in an establishment of a new Communist base in Yan'an.
Mao's army traveled 6,000 mi to reach surviving Communists in North China
Saved the Communists from attacks from the KMT, but many froze/ starved
Made their journey unpredictable, not a straight light, which made them hard to find in open spaces of China
They ate grain, then their horses, then wild vegetables, then their own leather belts
After a year later, they reached their destination, and of 90,000, only 9,000 survived
Meanwhile, 80% of peasants were starving in the Nationalists government
Working middle class supported the Nationalist
The trouble and turmoil the Communist had to go through
New LIFE MOVEMENT
Chiang and his wife, who enforced it
Started by Chiang and his wife, Soong, in February of 1934
Tried to build a new nation with a republican gov't
Nationalists would use their power to carry out land reforms and modernize the industry
Rejected individualism and Western Capitalistic values
Wanted to build up a morale in a country of opium addiction, corruption, and factionalism
Set goals for themselves- courtesy to neighbors, follow government rules, conserve energy, and keep streets clean
Neglect and civil war weakened them
Four virtues- Li, Yi, Lian, Chi
Established a good way of living, educational system, railroads, and a national bank
Rape of Nanjing in 1937
Nationalist army moves away from Communist army to fight Japan