Victoria's+response

 **Assess** //(make a judgement of value, quality, outcomes, results or size)// **the reasons for the Communist victory** When studying the reasons for the Communist victory, one may find that there are myriad reasons contributing to their success. However the most significant reasons can be placed under three main themes such as military, social and political and geographical advantages that the Communists gained. It is important to view how the Communists achieved success, but it is equally as important to understand why the Nationalists were not victorious and comprehend their failures in order to truly assess the reasons for the Communist victory. Even though the Nationalist had a military superiority over the Communist, a ratio of 5:1, the Communist used various strategies and tactics to overcome this disadvantage. The disadvantage lied in the fact that the Nationalist had more troops, thus being out numbered. This prompted the Communist to engage in guerrilla warfare, it was a useful tactic because it allowed them to abandon traditional warfare giving them a chance at victory. Despite strong criticism against Mao for his “moderate attitude” towards guerrilla tactics, it worked in the Communists favour nonetheless. Strategies like “column battle formations” help consolidate the Communists forces and to allow them to encircle the Nationalists army on the battle ground, thus quickly shifting the power to the Communist. Another advantage of the Communists was that Mao gave considerable amount of freedom to the commanders on the field; trust within the People’s Liberation Army was formed which laid a good foundation for communication and understanding amongst the Communists. This gave flexibility to the People’s Liberation Army to change the course of action when the strategy wasn’t working which increased their success rate. Theses reasons can be seen as the Communist strengths which were proven to have worked judging upon their victory over China. As well as militarily, the Communists were commendable for their political and social accomplishments. Politically what made the Communist stand out was their neglect of nepotism and their ability to dispose of corruption unlike their counterpart; the Nationalists. The reason why corruption did not have a major play within the Communists was due to mutual respect, and because of this mutual respects such systems as watchdogs against corruption also known as “three check-ups and three improvements” became an effective method for the Communists. Also as mentioned before, nepotism was not a practice known to the Communist as they were promoted based on merit not by background or by family relations and ties. Politically “good leadership breads good morale” because of good leadership a strong foundation was laid and thus socially gaining the moral support of the people. The Communists in a way were able to fulfil Sun Yatsen’s principle of “people’s livelihood” which the Nationalists neglect to do for 16 years; for example Mao initiated the “land reform” in order redistribute lands to the peasants winning the hearts and minds of the people. Also politically the Communists were attentive to the voice of the people therefore pressed for a “cabinet system”, unlike the Nationalists who opted for the “presidential system”. Their political and social success ultimately contributed to their victory as they were able to provide the people and themselves within the Communist party something that the Nationalists could not. In addition to their other successes, luckily the Communists were geographically advantageous “they (Communists) enjoyed distinct geographical advantage”. A major contributor to their success was their recapture of Manchuria, despite of odds that should have been in favour of the Nationalist as they received assistance from an external power; namely the United States, the Communists were able to reach Manchuria and succeed in claiming it. If it were not for their beneficial geographical location, the Communist may not have their victory as they did. There are many reasons for the Communists victory; however it would be difficult to account for each and every reason. Therefore the most significant reasons can be narrowed down to their successful military strategies, social and political reforms which took consideration for more than just the party, unlike the Nationalist and their geographical advantages. Their victory can be further highlighted by the failures and incompetency of the Nationalists. this is was a good and interesting essay

//This essay is well done as it gives specific examples of events that occured, and compares the reasons for the Communist victory and the Nationalists defeat very well.  //  I liked how you referred to the Nationalists failure as a reason for the Communist success-shows a very thorough understading. You also used very formal language whihc showed you really understand the topic...great use and incorporation of quotes however who said them?? YAY!!