Section C: International option China and Japan, 1912-45 Read the sources and then answer both parts of the question. Source A There are two reasons for joining the Kuomintang. In the first place, it will give us an opportunity to use propaganda and win over their many organised workers. Second, we can only fight imperialism if we combine the forces of the bourgeoisie and the proletariat. If we do not join, we shall remain isolated and preach a communism which consists of a noble ideal, but one which the masses do not follow. The masses certainly would follow the bourgeois Kuomintang, who would use them for its purpose. If we join the Kuomintang, we can show the masses that we too are for a revolutionary democracy, but that for us revolutionary democracy is only a means to an end. Furthermore, we can point out that we do not forget the daily needs of the masses. We shall be able to gather the masses around us and split the Kuomintang Party. From a speech by a Chinese delegate to the Congress of the Communist International, 1922. Source B Dr Sun Yat-sen and Mr Adolph Joffe, special envoy from the Soviet Union, have had several conversations. Many opinions have been expressed in connection with Sino-Soviet relations. Dr Sun Yat-sen believes that the Soviet system of communism cannot be adopted in China since China does not have the conditions to make this adoption a success. Mr Joffe completely agrees with this analysis. Dr Sun Yat-sen further believes that the most urgent problem China faces today is the successful unification of the republic and the completion of national independence. Mr Joffe assures Dr Sun Yat-sen that China not only enjoys the deepest sympathy of the Russian people but can also rely on Russia's assistance and support. Mr Joffe and Dr Sun Yat-sen part with each other in the most cordial manner. From the Sun–Joffe agreement, January 1923. Source C If we want to overthrow the double oppressions of imperialism and of the warlords, we must rely upon the power of all our people in a national revolutionary movement. We look around the country, and find the Kuomintang the only party with history, principles and leadership to liberate the nation, and improve the condition of the people. To complete successfully this revolution, we must have a united revolutionary party, as we cannot afford to have our revolutionary forces divided. The reason why we join this party is to make some contribution to this party, and to the cause of national revolution. We can link this party with the world revolutionary movement, so that the two can go forward together. We have definitely not come to deceive and take advantage of it, and to use the name of the Kuomintang for the purposes of promoting the communist movement. From a speech by Li Ta-chao, a leading communist, to the National Congress of the Kuomintang, January 1924. Source D Dr Sun Yat-sen, in his wisdom, secured the help of the Soviet Union and the Chinese Communist Party and reinterpreted the Three People's Principles. As a result, a united front was formed between the Three People's Principles and communism. Kuomintang-Communist cooperation was established for the first time, the sympathy of the people of the whole country was won and the revolution of 1924–27 was launched. The cooperation between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party spread the new Three People's Principles all over China, extending to a section of the educational and academic world and the mass of student youth. No sooner had the strength of the workers brought the revolution of 1927 to victory than the capitalist class kicked the masses aside. They seized the gains of the revolution, formed a counter-revolutionary alliance with imperialism and then pushed themselves to the limit in a war of 'communist suppression' for ten years. From an essay by Mao Zedong, January 1940.