Editor's Choice

What made communism appealing in China under Mao's leadership?

Quick answer:

Chinese Communist Party's appeal in China was based on the history of anti-imperialist struggle, Chinese nationalism and the idea of "New Democracy". It is no doubt that China was under a foreign imperialist countries' occupation (Japan and Great Britain) at this time. The Chinese Communist Party stood out as a sole representative of Chinese people to fight all the foreign forces together, which gave them a special status. They had such success because they were able to focus their attention on fighting these evil forces that had taken over China, while also seeking reform through peaceful means. The CC-P also understood that they would need to work with many different groups in order to win the support of the Chinese people.

Expert Answers

An illustration of the letter 'A' in a speech bubbles

As with other nations that embraced Communism, its appeal resided in the fact that it promised to bring harmony and order to a setting of fragmentation and disorder.  The emergence of China after the Sino- Japanese War was one in which China was victorious, but financially crippled. There was no means by which China was able to generate any kind of profit and at the same time, the political leadership did not present a vision to the Chinese people about how life should be constructed after the conflict with the Japanese was resolved.  Mao had a vision, though.  He was eager to share it with the Chinese people.  The vision of Mao's brand of Communism appealed to the Chinese body politic because it helped to establish a sense of control and structure to a people ripped apart by foreign war and then domestic civil war.  At such a point, Communism's appeal was "the other," a recognition that anything that could be seen as plausible was superior to what was happening.  With the eventual retreat of the Kuomanting, the people understood Communism as something that can provide stability and structure to a people yearning for some type of restorative vision.  In this, China's Communism began with a broad- based appeal.

Get Ahead with eNotes

Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.

Get 48 Hours Free Access
Approved by eNotes Editorial