China in the World Economy Autumn 2022 •Ing. Mgr. Petr Svatoň •petr.svaton@mail.muni.cz Requirements for passing the course •Seminars + essay + exam • • Requirements for passing the course •1st seminar – position paper from an assigned perspective – 5 points • Requirements for passing the course •1st seminar – position paper from an assigned perspective – 5 points •2nd seminar – group presentation – EU policy towards China in a given area – 5 points • Requirements for passing the course •1st seminar – position paper from an assigned perspective – 5 points •2nd seminar – group presentation – EU policy towards China in a given area – 5 points •Essay – China in 2050 – 5 points Requirements for passing the course •1st seminar – position paper from an assigned perspective – 5 points •2nd seminar – group presentation – EU policy towards China in a given area – 5 points •Essay – China in 2050 – 5 points •Exam – 4 open questions – 20 points • Requirements for passing the course •35-32,5 points - „A“ •32-29,5 points - „B“ •29-26,5 points - „C“ •26-23,5 points - „D“ •23-20 points - „E“ •19,5-0 points - „F“ Contents of the course •Today – introductory about China‘s geography and history •Relative decline of China after 1800 - „Century of humiliation“ • Contents of the course •Today – introductory facts about China‘s geography and history •China‘s relative decline after 1800 - „Century of humiliation“ • •It is not going to be on the test J • • Contents of the course •Other topics covered by the course: •Next week – Marxism and its evolution •Waves of reforms after 1978 •China‘s role in WTO, IMF, WB •Belt and Road Initiative •China‘s contemporary economic and technological ambitions under Xi Jinping •Trade war with the United States, deteriorating relations with EU • Geography of China • Obsah obrázku mapa Popis byl vytvořen automaticky Obsah obrázku mapa Popis byl vytvořen automaticky Obsah obrázku mapa Popis byl vytvořen automaticky Obsah obrázku mapa Popis byl vytvořen automaticky Obsah obrázku mapa Popis byl vytvořen automaticky Obsah obrázku mapa Popis byl vytvořen automaticky Imperial China •Chinese historiography - politically biased •Skewed to highlight stability and continuity + to justify the People‘s Republic‘s territorial claims • Imperial China •Chinese historiography - politically biased •Skewed to highlight stability and continuity + to justify the People‘s Republic‘s territorial claims •> unbroken line of legitimate rule from the Bronze Age to Xi Jinping • Imperial China •Reality: long periods of instability and anarchy – sometimes for centuries! Imperial China •Reality: long periods of instability and anarchy – sometimes for centuries! •Many conquest dynasties established by violent invasions (Manchu, Mongols) Imperial China •Fluid borders - shifted depending on the government‘s strength Imperial China •Fluid borders - shifted depending on the government‘s strength •Tibet, Xinjiang, southern provinces – semi-independent vassal states, often ruled by indigenous leaders and chiefs Imperial China •Fluid borders - shifted depending on the government‘s strength •Tibet, Xinjiang, southern provinces – semi-independent vassal states, often ruled by indigenous leaders and chiefs •Taiwan – only partially conquered in mid-1600s, treated as a neglected backwater until being ceded to Japan in 1894 Imperial China •„Celestial Empire“ Imperial China •„Celestial Empire“ •„Mandate of the Heavens“ Imperial China •„Celestial Empire“ •„Mandate of the Heavens“ > Emperors were chosen by Heaven to provide security, prosperity and „harmony“ Imperial China •„Celestial Empire“ •„Mandate of the Heavens“ > Emperors were chosen by Heaven to provide security, prosperity and „harmony“ •> natural disasters or military defeats signal the fact that Heaven is displeased Imperial China •Security Imperial China •Security – periodic invasions by steppe tribes •Nomadic vs. settled civilization • • Imperial China •Security – periodic invasions by steppe tribes •Nomadic vs. settled civilization •Nomads – no conception of permanent borders or fixed property > no respect for China‘s state •Mobility, personal fighting prowess • Obsah obrázku text, kniha Popis byl vytvořen automaticky Obsah obrázku kůň, exteriér Popis byl vytvořen automaticky Imperial China •China – large population, organized military (mostly infantry) •Nomads mostly caused small-scale plunder •Large tribal confederations = existential threat • • Obsah obrázku tráva, exteriér, obloha, megalit Popis byl vytvořen automaticky Obsah obrázku hora Popis byl vytvořen automaticky Obsah obrázku mapa Popis byl vytvořen automaticky Imperial China •> duty of the imperial state to constantly repair fortifications and station most of the military at the northern border Imperial China •> duty of the imperial state to constantly repair fortifications and station most of the military at the northern border •The interior of China, however, was mostly demilitarized and administered by civil bureaucrats = mandarins Imperial China •Mandarins – official-scholars Obsah obrázku text, roucho Popis byl vytvořen automaticky Imperial China •Mandarins – official-scholars •Imperial examinations – Confucian philosophy and morality > dedication to the Emperor and to serving justice Imperial China •Mandarins – official-scholars •Imperial examinations – Confucian philosophy and morality > dedication to the Emperor and to serving justice •> meritocracy – chosen on the basis of talent from a wide elite of landowning families Imperial China •Mandarins – official-scholars •Imperial examinations – Confucian philosophy and morality > dedication to the Emperor and to serving justice •> meritocracy – chosen on the basis of talent from a wide elite of landowning families •Rotation > so that they don‘t become attached to any location Imperial China •Mandarins – official-scholars •Imperial examinations – Confucian philosophy and morality > dedication to the Emperor and to serving justice •> meritocracy – chosen on the basis of talent from a wide elite of landowning families •Rotation > so that they don‘t become attached to any location •Sophisticated system of ranks Imperial China •Mandarins – official-scholars •Imperial examinations – Confucian philosophy and morality > dedication to the Emperor and to serving justice •> meritocracy – chosen on the basis of talent from a wide elite of landowning families •Rotation > so that they don‘t become attached to any location •Sophisticated system of ranks •> influence on the Communist party •> influence on modern European states! > civil service Imperial China •Imperial reign – molded tribes into a single nation Obsah obrázku mapa Popis byl vytvořen automaticky Imperial China •Imperial reign – molded tribes into a single nation = Han Chinese (= ethnic Chinese) •- service in the military, bureaucracy; trade Imperial China •Imperial reign – molded tribes into a single nation = Han Chinese (= ethnic Chinese) •- service in the military, bureaucracy; trade •„Mandarin Chinese“ – official language Imperial China •Imperial reign – molded tribes into a single nation = Han Chinese (= ethnic Chinese) •- service in the military, bureaucracy; trade •„Mandarin Chinese“ – official language •Many other dialects of Chinese survive to this date •Mainly in the south – remnant of China‘s slow expansion south towards Southeast Asia Obsah obrázku mapa Popis byl vytvořen automaticky Imperial China •Foreign policy •„Middle Kingdom“ - 中国 „ Zhōngguó Imperial China •Foreign policy •„Middle Kingdom“ - 中国 „ Zhōngguó •> center of the universe, surrounded by barbarians = everyone else Imperial China •Foreign policy •„Middle Kingdom“ - 中国 „ Zhōngguó •> center of the universe, surrounded by barbarians = everyone else •The best that other countries can do to lift their status is to become Chinese vassals Imperial China •> Tributary system = smaller states (Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Tibet) pay an annual tribute to show their formal subordination Imperial China •> Tributary system = smaller states (Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Tibet) pay an annual tribute to show their formal subordination •They are encouraged to adopt parts of Chinese culture •More or less respected in the region Imperial China •> Tributary system = smaller states (Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Tibet) pay an annual tribute to show their formal subordination •They are encouraged to adopt parts of Chinese culture •More or less respected in the region •Benevolent imperialism? Grand Canal Obsah obrázku mapa Popis byl vytvořen automaticky Obsah obrázku mapa Popis byl vytvořen automaticky Grand Canal Obsah obrázku mapa Popis byl vytvořen automaticky Obsah obrázku strom, exteriér, příroda Popis byl vytvořen automaticky Obsah obrázku obloha, exteriér, voda, loďka Popis byl vytvořen automaticky Grand Canal •Comparable in importance to the Great Wall! • Grand Canal •Comparable in importance to the Great Wall! •Connection between „wheat China“ and „rice China“ – harvests during different parts of the year > exchange, prevention of famine Grand Canal •Comparable in importance to the Great Wall! •Connection between „wheat China“ and „rice China“ – harvests during different parts of the year > exchange, prevention of famine •Invention of water navigation locks • Imperial China •A network of granaries = food reserves across the Empire in case of famine > another source of legitimacy Imperial China •A network of granaries = food reserves across the Empire in case of famine > another source of legitimacy •Long-term policy = maximalization of population and food production > large tax revenue and army Imperial China •A network of granaries = food reserves across the Empire in case of famine > another source of legitimacy •Long-term policy = maximalization of population and food production > large tax revenue and army •Need for women to have many children > early marriage, patriarchal society Imperial China •Lack of available fertilizer > sophisticated system of using human feces •= rules for who should go to which latrine etc • •Oppression of peasants by landlords – not formal serfdom, but high rents for land Timeline of dynasties • Timeline of dynasties •Xia (2000 BC – 1600 BC) – mythical, never proven •Shang (1600 BC – 1000 BC) – small bronze-age state in northern China, pagan religion and divinations Obsah obrázku mapa Popis byl vytvořen automaticky Timeline of dynasties •Zhou (1000 BC – 700 BC) – somewhat larger and more sophisticated Timeline of dynasties •Zhou (1000 BC – 700 BC) – somewhat larger and more sophisticated •- disintegrated into several smaller kingdoms around 700 BC •> Spring and Autumn period, Warring States period > focus on increased production and population Timeline of dynasties •Zhou (1000 BC – 700 BC) – somewhat larger and more sophisticated •- disintegrated into several smaller kingdoms around 700 BC •> Spring and Autumn period, Warring States period > focus on increased production and population •„Hundred Schools of Thought“ > Confucionism, Legalism, Taoism = search for legitimacy and unity in a turbulent age Qin •„First Emperor“ – Qin Shi Huang – around 220 BC •Destroyed the other states, unified China, expanded into the south •Great Wall, terracota army, first great capital at Chang-an (Xian) •Megalomaniac and tyrranical – high taxes, cruel punishments, purges of dissident scholars •Unpopular > overthrown around 200 BC •> „China“ • Obsah obrázku budova, exteriér, socha, stavební materiál Popis byl vytvořen automaticky Obsah obrázku mapa Popis byl vytvořen automaticky Han •200 BC – 200 AD •> „Han Chinese“, „Han characters“ •More lenient, ruled on the basis of consent •Confucianism as the state ideology, first imperial examinations •Defeated the Xiongnu steppe tribes > Silk route • Obsah obrázku mapa Popis byl vytvořen automaticky Sui and Tang •200 AD – 600 AD – „Three Kingdoms period“ – many short-lived regimes •Around 600 – Sui – unification, Grand Canal •Again too high taxes and too much cruelty > Tang dynasty (600-900) •Exposure to foreign cultures (Buddhism, Islam, Zoroastrianism, Christianity) •Imperial examinations! •„An Lushan rebellion“ – relatively worst civil war in human history? Song •Song dynasty (900-1250) •Unknown and underrated •Better rice from Southeast Asia > doubling of population •Technological Innovation: paper money, printing of books, gunpowder, compass, pound lock Obsah obrázku text, údolí, kaňon, příroda Popis byl vytvořen automaticky Obsah obrázku text Popis byl vytvořen automaticky Mongols •1250-1350 – Mongols! (Genghis Khan) •Total conquest of China > Mongol Yüan dynasty Obsah obrázku mapa Popis byl vytvořen automaticky Mongols •1250-1350 – Mongols! (Genghis Khan) •Total conquest of China > Mongol Yüan dynasty •Kublai Khan – visited by Marco Polo •Attempts to conquer Korea, Japan, Vietnam and Indonesia (!) Ming •1350-1650 •Native Han Chinese rebellion against the Mongols („White Lotus movement“) Ming •1350-1650 •Native Han Chinese rebellion against the Mongols („White Lotus movement“) •Restoration of traditional culture and Confucianism Ming •1350-1650 •Native Han Chinese rebellion against the Mongols („White Lotus movement“) •Restoration of traditional culture and Confucianism Ming •1350-1650 •Native Han Chinese rebellion against the Mongols („White Lotus movement“) •Restoration of traditional culture and Confucianism •Ethnocentrism, xenophobia > end of naval exploration, isolationism and stagnation Ming •1350-1650 •Native Han Chinese rebellion against the Mongols („White Lotus movement“) •Restoration of traditional culture and Confucianism •Ethnocentrism, xenophobia > end of naval exploration, isolationism and stagnation •Nanking („Southern Capital“) and Beijing („Northern Capital“) Zheng He‘s voyages •Early 1400s •Reached Southeast Asia, India, eastern Africa and Persia Obsah obrázku mapa Popis byl vytvořen automaticky Zheng He‘s voyages •Early 1400s •Reached Southeast Asia, India, eastern Africa and Persia •Building of tributary relationships + some trade ties Zheng He‘s voyages •Early 1400s •Reached Southeast Asia, India, eastern Africa and Persia •Building of tributary relationships + some trade ties •Cancelled – fear of foreigners + too expensive • Zheng He‘s voyages •Why was the Silk Road not cancelled? Zheng He‘s voyages •Why was the Silk Road not cancelled? •No expenditures for the Chinese treasury •+ luxury trade – not subversive! Qing •Last dynasty – 1650 - 1911 •Manchus, steppe nomads similar to the Mongols - conquered China •„The transition from Ming to Qing, Ming–Qing transition, or Manchu conquest of China from 1618 to 1683 saw the transition between two major dynasties in Chinese history.“ Qing •Last dynasty – 1650 - 1911 •Manchus, steppe nomads similar to the Mongols - conquered China •Militaristic and expansionist Qing •Last dynasty – 1650 - 1911 •Manchus, steppe nomads similar to the Mongols - conquered China •Militaristic and expansionist •> genocide of Dzungar Mongols, conquest of Tibet and Taiwan, tributary relations with Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand Qing •Last dynasty – 1650 - 1911 •Manchus, steppe nomads similar to the Mongols - conquered China •Militaristic and expansionist •> genocide of Dzungar Mongols, conquest of Tibet and Taiwan, tributary relations with Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand •Reached the limits of pre-industrial growth – highest yields and population possible without modern machinery The rise of Europe The rise of Europe •Probably overtook China in personal income as soon as 1400! •A marked disparity only appeared with the Industrial Revolution (late 1700s) The rise of Europe •Why Europe? The rise of Europe •Why Europe? •Geographic explanations The rise of Europe •Why Europe? •Geographic explanations •Exploitation and violence The rise of Europe •Why Europe? •Geographic explanations •Exploitation and violence •Political institutions The rise of Europe •China – relative decline •= doing well by its own standards, but falling behind • The rise of Europe •China – relative decline •= doing well by its own standards, but falling behind • •„China is already perfect the way it is and has no use for foreign ideas and technologies“ • „Century of humiliation“ •1842-1949 „Century of humiliation“ •1842-1949 •First encounters with Europeans in the 1500s – contempt for „barbarians from the sea“ „Century of humiliation“ •1842-1949 •First encounters with Europeans in the 1500s – contempt for „barbarians from the sea“ •Cantonese system – trade with China was possible only in the city of Canton, and only via a cartel of Chinese merchants Obsah obrázku text, loďka, město, staré Popis byl vytvořen automaticky „Century of humiliation“ •Europe had a persistent trade deficit with China „Century of humiliation“ •Europe had a persistent trade deficit with China •Europeans kept buying Chinese tea and porcelain etc., while China was not interested in European goods > flow of silver to China „Century of humiliation“ •Europe had a persistent trade deficit with China •Europeans kept buying Chinese tea and porcelain etc., while China was not interested in European goods > flow of silver to China •Early 1800s – British smuggling of opium into China in exchange for tea „Century of humiliation“ •Europe had a persistent trade deficit with China •Europeans kept buying Chinese tea and porcelain etc., while China was not interested in European goods > flow of silver to China •Early 1800s – British smuggling of opium into China in Exchange for tea •> Opium wars > unequal treaties • Obsah obrázku text Popis byl vytvořen automaticky Obsah obrázku text, exteriér, voda, loďka Popis byl vytvořen automaticky Obsah obrázku text, exteriér, doprava, loďka Popis byl vytvořen automaticky „Century of humiliation“ •Unequal treaties •China was forced to open its ports to free trade with the West „Century of humiliation“ •Unequal treaties •China was forced to open its ports to free trade with the West, give foreigners exterritorial status, allow missionaries, grant Western countries diplomatic equality, hand over Hong Kong „Century of humiliation“ •Unequal treaties •China was forced to open its ports to free trade with the West, give foreigners exterritorial status, allow missionaries, grant Western countries diplomatic equality, hand over Hong Kong •Other imperialist powers demanded similar concessions, until China became partitioned into informal spheres of influence Obsah obrázku text, kniha Popis byl vytvořen automaticky Obsah obrázku mapa Popis byl vytvořen automaticky „Century of humiliation“ •Worst enemy – Japan – defeated China around 1890 and annexed Taiwan, Korea, expanded into Manchuria „Century of humiliation“ •Worst enemy – Japan – defeated China around 1890 and annexed Taiwan, Korea, expanded into Manchuria •1900 – „Boxer uprising“ Obsah obrázku text, exteriér, osoba, pózování Popis byl vytvořen automaticky Obsah obrázku skupina, osoba, stojící, lidé Popis byl vytvořen automaticky „Century of humiliation“ •> loss of legitimacy for the Qing •Taiping rebellion (1850s) – 30 million dead! More than WWI! „Century of humiliation“ •> loss of legitimacy for the Qing •Taiping rebellion (1850s) – 30 million dead! More than WWI! •Attempts at reform failed • „Century of humiliation“ •> loss of legitimacy for the Qing •Taiping rebellion (1850s) – 30 million dead! More than WWI! •Attempts at reform failed •> nationalist Chinese movement led by Sun Yat Sen Obsah obrázku osoba, muž Popis byl vytvořen automaticky „Century of humiliation“ •> loss of legitimacy for the Qing •Taiping rebellion (1850s) – 30 million dead! More than WWI! •Attempts at reform failed •> nationalist Chinese movement led by Sun Yat Sen •Meant to overthrow the Manchu „Century of humiliation“ •> loss of legitimacy for the Qing •Taiping rebellion (1850s) – 30 million dead! More than WWI! •Attempts at reform failed •> nationalist Chinese movement led by Sun Yat Sen •Meant to overthrow the Manchu •> create a Han-dominated republic, modernize China and expel the foreigners • 1911 – Xinhai revolution •Series of army mutinies > quick collapse of the Qing, proclamation of the Republic of China (ROC) „Five races under one flag“ Collapse of central power •Sun Yat Sen did not have enough support to rule, so power went to general Yuan Shikai, who promptly tried to make himself Emperor Collapse of central power •After the revolution, power went to general Yuan Shikai, who promptly tried to make himself Emperor •> embarrassing fiasco •> individual provinces rebelled and became de facto independent under local warlords Collapse of central power •After the revolution, power went to general Yuan Shikai, who promptly tried to make himself Emperor •> embarrassing fiasco •> individual provinces rebelled and became de facto independent under local warlords •Tibet, Turkestan (Uighurs) and Mongols seceded former their own states Obsah obrázku mapa Popis byl vytvořen automaticky Obsah obrázku mapa Popis byl vytvořen automaticky Collapse of central power •During WWI, Japan joined the Entante, conquered German territories and than presented China (= the Beijing government) with „21 demands“ Collapse of central power •During WWI, Japan joined the Entante, conquered German territories and than presented China (= the Beijing government) with „21 demands“ •= attempt to turn China into a giant Japanese protectorate Collapse of central power •During WWI, Japan joined the Entante, conquered German territories and than presented China (= the Beijing government) with „21 demands“ •= attempt to turn China into a giant Japanese protectorate •The West – did not like it, but what could be done? Collapse of central power •During WWI, Japan joined the Entante, conquered German territories and than presented China (= the Beijing government) with „21 demands“ •= attempt to turn China into a giant Japanese protectorate •The West – did not like it, but what could be done? •Versailles conference 1919 > recognized some Japanese claims, but not all > both China and Japan become angry with the West J May Fourth Movement •Versailles conference 1919 > recognized some Japanese claims, but not all > both China and Japan become angry with the West • May Fourth Movement •Versailles conference 1919 > recognized some Japanese claims, but not all > both China and Japan become angry with the West •Student protests > May Fourth Movement • May Fourth Movement Obsah obrázku text, sport Popis byl vytvořen automaticky May Fourth Movement Obsah obrázku text, strom, exteriér, osoba Popis byl vytvořen automaticky May Fourth Movement •Versailles conference 1919 > recognized some Japanese claims, but not all > both China and Japan become angry with the West •Student protests > May Fourth Movement •= loss of faith in traditional elites (landowners and scholars), modern nationalism, populism, radical politics, new culture – literature in simple Chinese • May Fourth Movement •Versailles conference 1919 > recognized some Japanese claims, but not all > both China and Japan become angry with the West •Student protests > May Fourth Movement •= loss of faith in traditional elites (landowners and scholars), modern nationalism, populism, radical politics, new culture – literature in simple Chinese •> founding of the Communist Party of China in 1921 • • Northern expedition •Sun Yat Sen founded the Kuomintang Northern expedition •Sun Yat Sen founded the Kuomintang = Nationalist Party + a rival government in Canton + created an army to forcefully reunite China • Northern expedition •Sun Yat Sen founded the Kuomintang = Nationalist Party + a rival government in Canton + created an army to forcefully reunite China •= National Revolutionary Army, commanded by Chiang Kai Shek • Northern expedition •Sun Yat Sen founded the Kuomintang = Nationalist Party + a rival government in Canton + created an army to forcefully reunite China •= National Revolutionary Army, commanded by Chiang Kai Shek •1925 – Sun died, Chiang led a Northern Expedition, which conquered most of China by 1928 • • Obsah obrázku zeď, osoba Popis byl vytvořen automaticky Obsah obrázku exteriér, země, skupina, lidé Popis byl vytvořen automaticky Obsah obrázku text, osoba, exteriér, dav Popis byl vytvořen automaticky Nanking decade •1927-1937 •Chiang chose Nanking as the new capital instead of Beijing Nanjing decade •1927-1937 •Chiang chose Nanking as the new capital instead of Beijing •Unsuccessful attempt to destroy the Communists, who emerged as rivals of the KMT > Long March Obsah obrázku mapa Popis byl vytvořen automaticky Nanking decade •1927-1937 •Chiang chose Nanking as the new capital instead of Beijing •Unsuccessful attempt to destroy the Communists, who emerged as rivals of the KMT > Long March North •Program of industrialization, building of infrastructure Obsah obrázku text, budova, ulice, exteriér Popis byl vytvořen automaticky Nanking decade •1927-1937 •Chiang chose Nanking as the new capital instead of Beijing •Unsuccessful attempt to destroy the Communists, who emerged as rivals of the KMT > Long March North •Program of industrialization, building of infrastructure •> strengthening of the army for a clash against Japan Second Sino-Japanese war •1937-1945 •20 million dead, underrated theater of WWII! Second Sino-Japanese war •1937-1945 •20 million dead, underrated theater of WWII! •Japan deployed far more soldiers against China than against the US! Second Sino-Japanese war •1937-1945 •20 million dead, underrated theater of WWII! •Japan deployed far more soldiers against China than against the US! •In 1937-1940, Japan conquered the lower Yangtze = China‘s economic heartland Obsah obrázku mapa Popis byl vytvořen automaticky Obsah obrázku text, exteriér, bílá, černá Popis byl vytvořen automaticky Second Sino-Japanese war •1937-1945 •20 million dead, underrated theater of WWII! •Japan deployed far more soldiers against China than against the US! •In 1937-1940, Japan conquered the lower Yangtze = China‘s economic heartland •Rape of Nanjing Second Sino-Japanese war •1937-1945 •20 million dead, underrated theater of WWII! •Japan deployed far more soldiers against China than against the US! •In 1937-1940, Japan conquered the lower Yangtze = China‘s economic heartland •Rape of Nanjing •1940-1944 stalemate Communist victory •Communists build a guerilla movement in the countryside during WWII under Japanese occupation Communist victory •Communists build a guerilla movement in the countryside during WWII under Japanese occupation •USSR handed over captured Japanese equipment to them Communist victory •Communists build a guerilla movement in the countryside during WWII under Japanese occupation •USSR handed over captured Japanese equipment to them •Nationalists – decimated by fighting Japan, weak support from the West Communist victory •Communists build a guerilla movement in the countryside during WWII under Japanese occupation •USSR handed over captured Japanese equipment to them •Nationalists – decimated by fighting Japan, weak support from the West •Also corruption, alliances with unpopular landlords and warlords Communist victory •Communists build a guerilla movement in the countryside during WWII under Japanese occupation •USSR handed over captured Japanese equipment to them •Nationalists – decimated by fighting Japan, weak support from the West •Also corruption, alliances with unpopular landlords and warlords •Communist victory in 1949, Nationalists escaped to Taiwan