Mao Zedong proves communism is politically superior to capitalism

In the Yenan period of 1936-1949, the CCP was extremely effective at improving the lives of peasants and workers in the province through their political management. Land and tax reforms made by the CCP revamped the area; poor peasants' associations were formed and they aided in land reform. Wealthy landlords were stripped down to a realistic amount of land. Loans and mortgages' interest rates were forced down from 18% to a mere 1.5%, whilst rents were no more than 25% of a grain harvest, when previously it was higher and led to massive starvation. Social reform was also enacted; women's associations were formed to aid women unable to feed their own children or having to deal with abusive husbands, whilst education was focused on. The literacy rate in Yenan went from 1% in 1936 to 50% in 1943. Economic self sufficiency of the CCP from the peasants greatly improved their popularity in China; in their time out of service, Red Army soldiers were encouraged to sow their own crops and plough their own fields, as well as chopping up firewood or making useful goods such as matches, wire, tools, batteries, soap and leather goods. Irrigation channels were also aided by the Red Army, and their self sufficiency campaign is proven in their ability to produce 40% of their own food throughout the Yenan Period. Political reform sought to divide government into thirds; members of the CCP, other leftist groups and anyone except Japanese or Guomindang collaborators. Along with democratic centralism, mass line was a Maoist ideology implemented so that the CCP could listen to peasant suggestions and criticisms and make policies thereby that was in demand from peasants! The Red Army had also had rules established to maintain discipline and order, such as 'The Three Main Rules of Discipline': 1. Obey all orders in all your actions 2. Do not take a single needle or piece of thread from the masses 3. Turn in everything captured and 'The Eight Points for Attention': 1. Speak politely 2. Pay fairly for what you buy 3. Return everything you borrow 4. Pay for anything you damage 5. Do not hit or swear at people 6. Do not damage crops 7. Do not take liberties with women 8. Do not ill-treat captives [1] These showed how much the peasants were cared for by the CCP, so much more than the Guomindang whose armies raped, pillaged, looted and conscripted by tying men in long ropes together. So who was the CCP opposed to? The corrupt and difficult life under the Guomindang. It was evident in the 2nd Sino Japanese War who was focusing on the Japanese; Jiang Jieshi: "The Japanese are a disease of the skin, but the Communists are a disease of the soul." Perhaps the largest indicator of the difference between the CCP are how the United States viewed them. General Stilwell was in charge of overseeing the GMD, and eventually he stated, "The Chinese soldier is excellent material, wasted and betrayed by stupid (GMD) leadership" [2] Even Jiang was forced to admit his generals were incompotence, stating, "I have to lie awake at night, thinking what foolish things they may do." [4] The GMD's management of the state was not much better; Prices of basic goods rose by 237% from 1942-1944, and 251% from January-August 1945 [6] The power of $100 Chinese dollars in 1937 could purchase an oxen; by 1945 it could purchase only a handful of eggs. The GMD's mismanagement of the economy was disastrous. Yet, the Dixie Mission of July 1944, of US diplomats who were sent to investigate Yenan, noted how organised, highly disciplined and highly motivated the community was. Colonel David Barrett, leader of the Dixie Mission, stated, "The Communists are in China to stay. And China's destiny is not Chiang's (Jiang Jieshi's) but theirs." [3] Evidently, before the CCP even took control of China, many Chinese, and modern day historians, note how effectively Yenan was run, so much so than that of the Guomindang. I will get into the successful Mao period of 1949-1976, and my response to Con's arguments, in the next round. [1] Quotations from Mao Tse-Tung (Peking: Foreign Languages Press, 1966) pgs 256-7 [2] Stilwell, by Barbara Tuchmann pg 194 [3] The Rise of Modern China, by Immanuel Hsu pg 598 [4] Modern China, by Jonathan Fenby pg 295 [5] (the source of all my arguments) China Rising, HTAV textbook by Tom Ryan, pgs 90-91, 113-115, 125, 127 [6] The Long Revolution, by Terry Buggy pg 291