Thread by @HistoryKss

1949 - 'an inflection point in China's national history' - @SOAS_CI - Some historical significance in action here.

The key protagonists in this story.

Chiang Kai Shek playing for time in 1949 - to save his regime, to build a coalition if the Communists would play ball, to protect his assets, etc.

Mao - ‘a revolutionary man, somewhat impetuous.’ Yeah I would say so.

Now exploring the US-China relationship in 1949. A fatal attachment.

The Soviet leader has some concerns about Mao in 1949. Mao admires Stalin but Stalin worried that Mao is reckless. Stalin keen to avoid major involvement in China but would like China’s admittance into the Soviet camp.

Stalin wonders if Mao might turn out to be a bit of a handful. Would he want to assert leadership of his own? Yeah I guess so!

Britain - neutral but wants to keep a foot in the door. That chimes with stuff we learned about on the Korean War fellowship @histassoc

Back to Chiang and the internal divisions between him and the Guangxi Clique. Next up, the military position and Lin Biao. If you don’t know about Lin Biao you are missing out. Three words - Afraid of water.

Bai and Lin very similar despite political differences - very politically energetic from a young age. This is great because I don’t know much about the Nationalist side and it’s good to get more on the leading CCP guys from before 1949.

The sorrow of war, especially Civil War, for the general population.

The story of Mei Jun. Left her village at the age of 24 with baby. Her husband a military policeman on the Nationalist side. Told her mother she would be back soon. 15 mth journey. Clogged transport system. Gets to Guangzhou. Refugees pouring in as the war gets closer.

Then goes north ‘against the flow of traffic’. Sounds like utter chaos in 1949. Interesting human story to bring to life this first bit of the China course which can get reduced to abstract description of a destroyed country. Eventually makes it to Taiwan.

Key events of 1949 now. April - PLA crosses the Yangtze. An extraordinary logistical accomplishment for the Communists. It was said the barrier of the river was worth 300,000 soldiers. But GMD v weak by this point.

Now onto the CCP in the cities - running cities was something they basically had no experience of but they capture lots in 1949. Communist rising was a rural insurrection. Communists had little support in the cities. An underground movement for sure but they are a minority.

Ok going to have to drop out now as family time calls. Hope to catch the recording - it’s a fascinating topic and really well explained by Graham Hutchings @SOAS_CI - excellent.