Chinese Soviet Republic (1931–1937)

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Chinese Soviet Republic 中華蘇維埃共和國 Zhōnghuá Sūwéi'āi Gònghéguó (Pinyin) Chunghwa Suwei'ai Kunghokuo (Wade–Giles)
1931–1937
Flag Emblem
Motto:  全世界無產階級和被壓迫的民族聯合起來！ Quánshìjiè wúchǎnjiējí hé bèi yāpò de mínzú liánhé qǐlai! "Proletariats and oppressed peoples of the world, unite!"
Anthem: 國際歌 Guójìgē "The Internationale" File:Internationale-cmn (英特纳雄耐尔).ogg
Map of the various Soviets comprising the Chinese Soviet Republic and the route of the Long March Map of the various Soviets comprising the Chinese Soviet Republic and the route of the Long March
Capital	Juikin (1931–1934) Bao'an Subdistrict (1936–1937) Yan'an (1937)
Largest city	Juikin
Official languages	Standard Chinese
Government	Marxist-Leninist one-party soviet socialist provisional government
Chairman of the Central Executive Committee
• 1931–1937	Mao Zedong
Chairman of the Central Revolutionary Military Committee
• 1931–1937	Zhu De
Chairman of the Council of People's Commissars
• 1931–1934	Mao Zedong
• 1934–1937	Zhang Wentian
Legislature	National Congress of the Chinese Soviets of Workers', Peasants' and Soldiers' Deputies
History
• Independence proclaimed from the Republic of China	7 November 1931
• Start of the Long March	7 October 1934
• Fall of Juikin	10 November 1934
• Arrival at Shensi	22 October 1935
• Disintegration of the Soviet Republic	22 September 1937
Currency	Chinese Soviet yuan
Preceded by Succeeded by File:Flag of the Communist Party of China (Pre-1996).svg Communist-controlled China (1927–1949)|Soviet Zone Communist-controlled China (1927–1949)|Soviet Zone File:Flag of the Communist Party of China (Pre-1996).svg Shaan-Gan-Ning Border Region File:Second War Flag of Chinese Soviet Republic.svg
Today part of	China  ∟ Anhui  ∟ Fujian  ∟ Gansu  ∟ Guangdong  ∟ Henan  ∟ Hubei  ∟ Hunan  ∟ Inner Mongolia  ∟ Jiangxi  ∟ Ningxia  ∟ Shaanxi  ∟ Sichuan  ∟ Zhejiang

The Chinese Soviet Republic (CSR), otherwise known as the Jiangxi Soviet, was an important chapter in the history of the Communist Party of China. It was established as a provisional state organized by the CPC in 1931 during the wake of the Long March. The CSR represented a significant experiment in communist leadership as well as laying the foundations of the communists winning the civil war in China. Mao Zedong was appointed as prime minister of the state, which gave him significant experience in the field of mobile warfare. This experience was useful to the eventual reunification and reorganization of the People's Republic of China.

Origins and Establishment:

The origins of the CSR can be traced back to the early 1930's when the CPC faced a series of military setbacks against the better equipped Nationalist Forces and internal divisions. The Red Army who were led by Mao Zedong, undertook the arduous and tiring Long March to retreat against the Nationalist Forces who were lead by Chiang Kai-shek. This journey took a year and after the Red Army arrived in Jiangxi and establishing a base in Rujin this base became the HQ for the CSR.

Soviet Governance and Achievements:

While the CSR was led by Mao Zedong, it implemented various policies that were aimed at redistributing land, the empowering of peasants, and the promoting of collectivization. The Soviet government established rural collectives, the implantation of literacy campaigns as well providing basic healthcare and education to the local population. These efforts were important as they were geared towards the mobilization of the masses and the transformation of society to one that was in accordance to communist principles.

Another important achievement of the CSR was it's success in land reform. The redistribution of the land that was owned by the wealthy landowners to the peasantry helped the government gain support from the rural population and to help weaken the landlord class. Another important contribution would be the supporting of gender equality as the government actively supported women's participation in politics and the workplace as well as fighting against traditional patriarchal norms.

Challenges and Opposition:

The CSR faced numerous challenges throughout it's existence. These included the Nationalist forces who were led by Chiang-Kai shiek attempting the launching of several military campaigns against the republic as well as to suppress the communists. These attacks caused the government to constantly defend their territory and to withstand the attack from the better-equipped Nationalist Army. The guerilla warfare tactics that the soldiers employed as well as the knowledge of the local terrain allowed the soldiers to resist the Nationalist forces for extended periods.

Other challenges that the government faced were the internal divisions that were significant within the CSR. There were ideological differences between Mao Zedong and the other prominent CSR leaders that resulted in power struggles as well as the disagreement of strategies. Another struggle was that the CSR faced prominent economic difficulties and the constant military conflicts as well as the lack of external support strained resources that hindered economic development.

Dissolution:

In December 1937, the Chinese Soviet Republic was renamed to the Shaan-Gan-Ning Border Region.

References

Mao Zedong