From the late 1920s the Communists and Nationalists had differing views on the future of China.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2022). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [1] A battle between China's army and the Japanese army.
2. [1] The Japanese wanted to search for a missing soldier, but the Chinese refused permission.
3. [1] The Japanese attacked Wanping but were pushed back.
4. [1] Both sides called up reinforcements.
5. [1] The Chinese attacked the Japanese at the bridge.
6. [1] An agreement was reached, and China apologised to Japan.
7. [1] There was further fighting, and the Chinese withdrew.
8. [1] It is seen as the beginning of the Second Sino-Japanese War.
9. [1] They did this because they thought it was the best thing to do as they were in danger.
10. [1] They were in danger of being wiped out by the KMT.
11. [1] This was because of the fifth encirclement campaign.
12. [1] They planned to regroup at Yenan.
13. [1] Chiang had amassed an enormous number of troops to defeat the Communists.
14. [Explanation L3] They did this because of the onslaught on them by Chiang Kai-shek's forces. He began the five extermination campaigns against them. The communist Chinese Soviet Republic was overrun and Communists were in danger of being wiped out. They went on the Long March to retreat to safety. They marched 8000 miles to Yenan where they were safe from the KMT.
15. [1] I think the Second World War was very important for the Communists. It helped them win the Civil War.
16. [1] The Nationalists failed to deal with the threat from the Japanese.
17. [1] It was the Communists who put up the strongest resistance to the Japanese.
18. [1] The Nationalists focused on trying to defeat the Communists.
19. [1] The Nationalists were corrupt.
20. [1] The Nationalists did not treat the Chinese peasants well; the Communists did.
21. [1] The Nationalists had failed to solve the country's economic problems and so lost the support of the people.
22. [1] The Communists' use of guerrilla tactics was important.
23. [1] The Communists concentrated on winning the rural areas.
24. [1] The Nationalists depended on foreign support and this made them unpopular.
25. [Explanation L3 (WW2 brought victory)] I think the Communists won because of the Second World War. This was mainly because of the mistakes made by Chiang Kai-shek. He was more worried about the Communists than the Japanese and so concentrated on defeating the Communists. This was very unpopular with the Chinese people who were more worried about the invading Japanese army. It looked as if the Nationalists were doing nothing about this invasion that threatened their country.
26. [Explanation L3 (Other factors brought victory)] I think that other factors were more important. The use of guerrilla tactics by the Communists against the KMT was important. They avoided fighting the KMT in big battles and so avoided defeats against forces that were larger. Instead, they planned attacks on smaller targets and disrupted the KMT supply lines. This gradually wore the Nationalists down.