A Study On The CPC's Struggle Strategy Against The KMT Before And After The Southern Anhui Incident (March 1940-March 1941

Eighty years ago,the Fourth Army Incident,which shocked the world,was not only one of serious struggles and tests experienced by the CCP in history,but also one of typical cases that the CCP successfully dealt with serious risks and challenges during the Anti-Japanese War.In the changeable international situation and extremely complicated domestic environment before and after the Fourth Army Incident,facing with a series of anti-communist conspiracies by the KMT,the CCP successfully dealt with the serious risks and challenges centered on the Fourth Army Incident,which not only provided important guarantee for persistence and ultimate victory of the Anti-Japanese War,but also provided important historical reference for the CCP to cope with serious struggles and tests.In March 1940,after the first anti-communist upsurge,according to the situation that the New Fourth Army and the Eighth Route Army were about to unite in central China,the KMT attempted to oppress the New Fourth Army to the south of the Yangtze River to cut off the link between the New Fourth Army and the Eighth Route Army.Under this background,the CCP basing on the overall goal of consolidating north China and developing central China,selected northern Jiangsu Province as the breakthrough of establishing connection between the New Fourth Army and the Eighth Route Army.The battle in northern area of the Yangtze River ended with victory of the CCP.The New Fourth Army took firm foothold in eastern Anhui Province and entered northern Jiangsu Province.But the transfer of the New Fourth Army in southern Anhui Province began to emerge during this period and the progress was not smooth which brought hidden dangers.In July 1940,facing with the failure of cutting off the link between the New Fourth Army and the Eighth Route Army and deteriorating international situation,the KMT attempted to transfer the Eighth Route Army and the New Fourth Army to Hebei Province and Chahar Province by means of political negotiations.Under this background,the CCP actively negotiated with the KMT and struggled against anti-communist friction to curb anti-communist and capitulated tendency within the KMT.The relationship between the KMT and the CCP in this period was characterized by the interweaving of relaxation and conflict.In the end,large-scale military friction broke out in northern Jiangsu Province,namely the battle of Huangqiao,which greatly changed the balance of the KMT and the CCP forces behind enemy lines in central China and linked the Eighth Route Army with the New Fourth Army.It was worth noting that the transfer of the New Fourth Army in southern Anhui Province was also developing during this period,and would soon become the focus of the KMT and the CCP.In October 1940,facing with the failure of the battle of Huangqiao and significant improvement in international situation,the KMT attempted to drive all the CCP armies to the enemy area of north China and thoroughly eliminated the CCP forces in the south of the Yellow River.In the first place,He Yingqin,Bai Chongxi in the name of Military Commission of the National Government issued strongly worded telegram to the CCP.At the same time,Chiang Kaishek signed a warrant in the name of the Central Government forcing the Eighth Route Army and the New Fourth Army to withdraw to the north of the Yellow River.At the same time,the KMT mobilized armies preparing for the attack on the CCP armies.Under this background,the CCP finally decided to make concession in southern Anhui Province and command the New Fourth Army crossing the Yangtze River to the north.And in eastern Anhui Province and northern Jiangsu Province,the CCP decided to implement self-defense.In the meantime,the CCP launched a political propaganda campaign against capitulation and civil war.During this period,the relationship between the KMT and the CCP was characterized by deterioration.The battle of Caodian and the Fourth Army Incident broke out in succession,which caused impacts beyond expectations.In January 1941,the Fourth Army Incident broke out.Afterwards,there were two phases of the use of strategies by the KMT and the CCP.The first was the strategies from the occurrence of the Fourth Army Incident to the convening of the second National Political Consultative Conference.In this phase,after knowing that the New Fourth Army was eliminated in southern Anhui Province,the KMT decided to seriously handle this incident and publicly issue the order which canceled official designation of the New Fourth Army.At the same time,the KMT declared that the disposition of the New Fourth Army was a matter of military discipline rather than political issues and had nothing to do with the Eighth Route Army or the CCP.Under this background,the CCP decided to implement political counterattack exposing the truth to the whole society and take defense in military.The second was the strategies around the second National Political Consultative Conference.In this phase,under great pressure,the KMT proposed negotiation with the CCP and courted democratic parties to force the CCP attend conference.Under this background,the CCP maintained offensive in politics declaring that only the KMT accepted the twelve measures to resolve the Fourth Army Incident the CCP could attend conference.In this confrontation,the CCP had increased influence and credibility with a powerful political counteroffensive and the KMT fell into a very isolated and passive situation politically.In general,the CCP’s strategies of struggle against the KMT before and after the Fourth Army Incident upheld the Anti-Japanese National United Front,won the sympathy and support of the general public,increased military strength,and left a wealth of historical enlightenment.Firstly,analyzing contradictions in a scientific way,finding the right direction of struggle,making clear the purpose of struggle is the precondition for the CCP to effectively cope with the test of major struggles in new era.Secondly,adhering to the strategic principle of reasonable,beneficial and disciplined is a significant means for the CCP to effectively cope with the test of major struggles in new era.Thirdly,responding to people’s expectations,conforming to the requirements of the times,uniting all forces that can be united is the key for the CCP to effectively cope with the test of major struggles in new era.