Who Lost China Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Who Lost China - Essay Example A loose coalition of Communists and Nationalists in China assisted by the United States and other allied powers had successfully defeated the Japanese forces. The failure to reach an agreement between the two principals, the Communists under Mao Dze Dong and the Nationalists under Chiang Kai Sheik led to a civil war ending in the loss of China to Communism in 1949. The loss of China was essentially the result of deterioration in Nationalist power and influence, inability of American foreign policy to influence events and long term antipathy towards aliens in the country. The Nationalist forces after years of corruption and misgovernance had lost the initiative in the country. The Nationalists lacked popular support, suffered from poor morale and a corrupt leadership. The deficiencies were mainly intrinsic to the Nationalist forces as has also been indicated in the White Paper published by the US Government in 1949.1 While they were not defeated on the battlefield their organizational cohesion which is a function of leadership, confidence and a will to resist had collapsed. The Americans supported Chiang who had lost considerable status as a national leader and the Nationalist Army was no match for the Communists due to break down of a will to fight. The Communists on the other hand could impose discipline and win over the people.