The events of 1934 to 1949 had enormous consequences for China.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2023). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [1] A Japanese soldier was missing from his unit and his commanding officer insisted he be allowed to enter Wanping to search for the soldier.
2. [1] Troops from both sides began to arrive outside the town.
3. [1] Both sides began firing and a battle began.
4. [1] The Chinese were able to hold the bridge but with high losses.
5. [1] Negotiations started in Beijing between the Japanese and the Chinese Nationalist government.
6. [1] An agreement was reached that included the Chinese apologising and punishing those responsible.
7. [1] The incident eventually led to the Sino-Japanese War.
8. [1] It strengthened the Communists.
9. [1] It put the Communists in a strong position in the civil war that followed the Second World War.
10. [1] It weakened the Nationalists and Chiang Kai-shek.
11. [1] It made the Nationalists unpopular in China.
12. [1] China could have lost much valuable land.
13. [4-5] Explanation: The war weakened the Nationalists and Chiang Kai-shek, who prioritized fighting Communists over resisting the Japanese. This, combined with Nationalist corruption, made them unpopular and left them too weak to effectively fight the Communists post-WWII.
14. [1] It saved them from being destroyed at Jiangxi.
15. [1] During the march Mao was elected as leader.
16. [1] It gave the Communists time to recover and rebuild.
17. [1] It gained them a lot of support.
18. [1] It enabled them to win the support of the peasants.
19. [1] It provided useful propaganda for the Communists.
20. [4-6] Argument for strengthening Mao's position: The Long March saved the Communists and Mao's leadership during this epic retreat cemented his authority, earning him the loyalty of Party members and leading to his election as leader.
21. [4-6] Argument against singular importance for Mao: The Long March was important for gaining peasant support. By living and working with peasants, distributing land, and arming them, the Communists won over many to their cause, crucial for their eventual victory over the Nationalists.