Soon after Nanchang Uprising, Mao Zedong
led Qiushou Uprising in the border of Hunan and Jiangxi provinces and established
the first revolutionary base area in Jinggang Mountains in Jiangxi province. This
was followed by the setup of several other bases in other parts of China. With warm
support from farmers, these bases were enlarged.
From 1930 to 1932, KMT Government in Nanjing launched many large-scale campaigns
of "encirclement and suppression" of the revolutionary base, attempting to destroy
these areas and eliminate the CPC. But with the support of people in the base areas,
Red Army, directed by the CPC, repulsed the enemy time and again.
In 1933, Chiang Kai-shek assembled a force of one million soldiers, and launched
a "encirclement and suppression" campaign for the fifth time. Because of the grave
mistake, "Left" dogmatism, made by provisional Central committee of the CPC, Red
Army did not carry out the campaign against "encirclement and suppression" and in
October 1934 the main force of Red Army was forced to retreat from its central base
areas and began to strategic shift.
Long March was an arduous trek. Red Army had to cross snow-covered mountains and
uninhabited grassland. When there was no food, Red Army soldiers ate tree barks
and wild herbs. Under siege, Red Army often fell prey to the army of the KMT.
Zunyi Conference in January 1935 ended the rule of "Left" dogmatism in Central Committee
of the CPC and established Mao Zedong in the leadership of Red Army and the Party.
Red Army took the initiative in its hands resulting in the winning of many battles.
Famous spisodes at this time included crossing Chishui River four times, forcing
a way across Dadu River and capturing Luding Bridge. All of these highlightened
the breakaway from the siege of National Army. In October 1935, the central column
of Red Army reached Quqi Town in nowthern Shaanxi province and joined forces with
Red Army column of northern Shaanxi led by Liu Zhidan. In October 1936, the three
major columns of Red Army converged in the Huining area, which marked the victorious
completion of Long March.
Reference data
Forcing throught Dadu River
Dadu River is marked by its deep and fast current and precipitous banks. In 1863,
a Taiping army led by Shi Dakai, the "King of Wings", was massacred by Qing army
as it tried to cross the River. The KMT forces tried to do the same to Red Army
72 years later and to make Mao Zedong the second Shi Dakai. Red Army led by Mao,
however, outfought the KMT army bravely and crossed the river safely.
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