The Nationalists failed in their attempts to defeat the Communists.

Mark scheme

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

1. [1-4] Level 1 One mark for each relevant point; additional mark for supporting detail
2. [1] From 1927 he ordered attacks on Communists.
3. [1] The army attacked the Communists in Shanghai.
4. [1] Thousands were arrested and killed.
5. [1] The extermination campaigns took place.
6. [1] An attack was launched on the Communists at Jiangxi in 1931.
7. [1] Communists were attacked in many cities.
8. [1] Over 300 000 Communists were killed.
9. [6] Level 4 Explains TWO reasons
10. [4-5] Level 3 Explains ONE reason
11. [4] By travelling to rural China, the CCP was able to live and work alongside the Chinese peasantry. Often overlooked by the KMT, these peasants grew to support the Communists due to their hard work and cooperation with them. The Communists re-distributed land to the peasants and armed them with captured Kuomintang weapons.
12. [2-3] Level 2 Identifies AND/OR describes reasons
13. [1] The Long March secured Mao's position as leader.
14. [1] It meant the Communists were safe from extermination at Jiangxi.
15. [1] It was great propaganda for the Communists.
16. [1] It gave the Communists time to recover and rebuild.
17. [1] Travelling to rural China meant the Communists lived and worked alongside the Chinese peasants. This gave them a chance to win their support.
18. [1] Level 1 General answer lacking specific contextual knowledge
19. [1] The Long March was a dangerous undertaking.
20. [10] Level 5 Explains with evaluation of 'how far'
21. [7-9] Level 4 Explanation of both sides
22. [4-6] Level 3 One-sided explanation OR one explanation of both sides 5 to 6 marks
23. [4] The KMT lacked the determination to take positive action against the Japanese and this affected the views of Chinese peasants. The KMT lost control of significant parts of China which they had controlled in 1937. Chiang adopted scorched earth tactics and this brought misery to millions of Chinese peasants.
24. [4] It was the support for the Communists which weakened the KMT. The Communists fought hard using guerrilla tactics against the Japanese showing they cared for their country. During the war, the Communists took care to help peasants and this had an impact in the civil war which followed.
25. [2-3] Level 2 Identifies AND/OR describes
26. [1] The KMT took foreign aid but used little of it against the Japanese.
27. [1] The KMT did not significantly oppose the Japanese but withdrew.
28. [1] The KMT lost peasant support because of their cruelty.
29. [1] The Communists fought against the Japanese, showing their patriotism.
30. [1] They treated the peasants well which gained popularity.
31. [1] Level 1 General answer lacking specific contextual knowledge
32. [1] The KMT had lots of weaknesses and were corrupt.