China’s Civil War and Sino-Soviet and Nationalist-Communist Relations

Abstract

China after World War II was filled with uncertainty. The American and Soviet influences had a great impact on postwar Chinese history. Eager to maintain a lasting peace with the United States, Stalin made great efforts to avoid causing any trouble in the American sphere of influence. Therefore, when, at the end of the war, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) attempted to take advantage of the favorable conditions, Stalin intervened, insisting that Mao Zedong should go to Chongqing to negotiate peace with Jiang Jieshi. In reality, Stalin was hoping that the CCP would abandon its arms and fight for its future via a legislative struggle, just as the French had done. However, Mao did not follow Stalin’s advice. He went to Chongqing, but he did not reach any compromise with Jiang.