WWII Factions: The Chinese Army

Simple History

20 Nov 201704:31

EducationalLearning

32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe video script outlines the complex military and political history of China in the first half of the 20th century. It begins with the end of the Qing Dynasty in 1912 and the rise of the Kuomintang (KMT), which dominated the new republic from Nan King. The National Revolutionary Army, the military arm of the KMT, successfully defeated warlords and recovered Beijing, leading to the Chinese Civil War against the Communists and their Chinese Red Army. Chiang Kai-shek's modernization of the Nationalist Army included support from the USSR and later, Nazi Germany, but political shifts led to a reliance on German aid. Despite an uneasy alliance during the Second Sino-Japanese War, the Nationalists and Communists cooperated against Japanese invaders, with the Communists integrating into the National Revolutionary Army and employing guerrilla tactics. The Nationalist Army, despite conscription and aid from the American lend-lease scheme, suffered heavy casualties. After World War II, the civil war resumed, and by January 1949, the Communists, led by Mao Zedong, emerged victorious, ending the civil conflict and marking a significant turning point in Chinese history.

Takeaways

🏛️ The end of the Qing Dynasty in 1912 led to the establishment of a republic and the rise of the Kuomintang (KMT) as the dominant political party.
💂 The National Revolutionary Army, as the military arm of the KMT, played a crucial role in defeating warlords and unifying China through the Northern Expedition.
🔴 The Chinese Civil War began in 1927, with the Communist faction, known as the Chinese Red Army, emerging as the main opposition to the KMT.
🤝 Chiang Kai-shek modernized the Nationalist Army with support from the USSR and later from Weimar Germany, but political shifts led to a rejection of Soviet aid in favor of Nazi German support.
📉 The attempt to unify and modernize the Chinese forces was limited, with only eight divisions reformed by 1937 under German advisors.
🤚 Nazi Germany's alliance with Japan led to a withdrawal of German support for the Chinese Nationalist Army as Japan expanded into China.
🔄 The Second Sino-Japanese War in 1937 prompted a temporary truce between the KMT and Communists, with the Communists integrating into the National Revolutionary Army as the 18th Army Group.
🤼‍♂️ Despite the truce, cooperation between the KMT and Communists was minimal, and internal clashes continued during the Japanese occupation.
📉 The Nationalist Army, despite outnumbering the Japanese forces, suffered heavy casualties due to being poorly equipped and trained.
🎖️ The Chinese Expeditionary Force sent to Burma in 1942 marked a shift in the war, with Chinese troops receiving British and American equipment and support.
📈 The Communist forces, though poorly equipped, were more motivated and better led, leading to fewer casualties and eventual victory in the civil war by 1949.

Q & A

What significant event marked the end of the Qing Dynasty and the beginning of the Republic of China?
-The end of the Qing Dynasty and the beginning of the Republic of China was marked by the year 1912 when China transitioned from an imperial dynasty to a republic.
Which political party dominated the new republic of China after 1912?
-

Outlines

00:00

🏛️ Chinese Political and Military History (1912-1949)

The paragraph outlines the political and military developments in China from the fall of the Qing Dynasty in 1912 to the end of the Chinese Civil War in 1949. It discusses the rise of the Republic of China and the Kuomintang (KMT), the formation of the National Revolutionary Army, the onset of the Chinese Civil War with the Communist Party and the Chinese Red Army, and the complex international relations that influenced the KMT's military development. The narrative also covers the Second Sino-Japanese War, the temporary truce between the KMT and Communists against Japanese invaders, the differing strategies and outcomes of the Nationalist and Communist forces, and the eventual victory of the Communists under Mao Zedong, leading to the establishment of the People's Republic of China.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Chinese Armies

The term 'Chinese Armies' refers to the various military forces within China during the time period discussed in the video. It includes the National Revolutionary Army and the Chinese Red Army, which were the military arms of the KMT and the Communists, respectively. These forces played a crucial role in the Chinese Civil War and the Second Sino-Japanese War, representing the internal struggle for power and the external resistance against Japanese invasion.

💡National Revolutionary Army

The 'National Revolutionary Army' was the military arm of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT). It was instrumental in defeating warlords, recovering Beijing, and later fighting against both internal (Communists) and external (Japanese) adversaries. The Army was modernized with the help of foreign powers, particularly Germany, and was a key player in the Northern Expedition and the Second Sino-Japanese War.

💡Chinese Red Army

The 'Chinese Red Army' signifies the military force of the Communist faction in China, which opposed the KMT during the Chinese Civil War. It was known for its guerrilla warfare tactics and was led by Mao Zedong. The Red Army later became the People's Liberation Army, which played a decisive role in the eventual defeat of the National Revolutionary Army and the conclusion of the Civil War.

💡Kuomintang (KMT)

The 'Kuomintang' or KMT was the Chinese Nationalist Party that dominated the political scene in China until the victory of the Communist Party in the Chinese Civil War.

Highlights

The Chinese Civil War began in 1927, leading to the formation of the Communist faction opposing the KMT.

Chiang Kai-shek modernized the Nationalist Army with support from the USSR and Weimar Germany.

The KMT became strongly anti-communist, leading to the rejection of Soviet aid and acceptance of assistance from Nazi Germany.

Only eight Chinese divisions were reformed by 1937 under German advisors, using German weapons and equipment.

Germany withdrew support after allying with Japan, which was preparing to invade China.

The Second Sino-Japanese War began in 1937, uniting Chinese forces against the Japanese invaders.

Chiang Kai-shek and Mao Zedong formed an uneasy truce, with the Communist military integrating into the National Revolutionary Army.

Cooperation between the Nationalists and Communists was minimal, with continued clashes during the Japanese occupation.

The Nationalist Revolutionary Army was poorly equipped and trained compared to the Japanese forces.

Chiang Kai-shek implemented conscription through brutal means such as kidnapping and press gangs.

The Chinese Expeditionary Force was sent to Burma in 1942 to assist the Allied efforts and protect supply lines.

Chiang Kai-shek used his nationalist army sparingly, possibly in preparation for the post-WWII civil war with the Communists.

Around 14 million troops were drafted into the Nationalist Army from 1937 to 1945, with 1.3 million killed and 1.8 million wounded.

The Communist forces, despite being poorly equipped, were more motivated, better led, and suffered around 500,000 casualties from 1937 to 1945.

The Chinese Civil War resumed in 1946 after the end of World War II.

Mao Zedong and the Communists, previously known as the Red Army, defeated Chiang Kai-shek and the National Revolutionary Army in 1949.

The Chinese Civil War ended in January 1949 with the victory of the Communists and the formation of the People's Republic of China.

Transcripts

Browse More Related Video

Overview of Chinese history 1911 - 1949 | The 20th century | World history | Khan Academy

Communists, Nationalists, and China's Revolutions: Crash Course World History #37

WWII Factions: The Italian Army

Estonian War of Independence animated

WWII Factions: The Red Army

Why Germany Lost the Battle of Kursk 1943 (WW2 Documentary)