Watershed

In the late Twenties and Thirties opposition to Chiang Kai Shek was mounting. Many Soviets (workers councils in charge of a district) were formed in south east China. Mao had already become known as a capable and experienced organiser. Chiang Kai Shek, described as an "indifferent soldier", was losing the people's support through his oppressive government and foreign domination. Despite all his German advisors, he had difficulty in countering the growing political and military opposition.

The struggles of the forces against Chiang Kai Shek had their watershed in the "striking and heroic effort" of the Long March. The March which had started with 300,000 people and ended with 30,000 covered 3,000 miles and took twenty months to complete before ending in Yenan. This area in north west China had the advantage of being impossible to blockade.