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The beginning
Before the Long March, China lived an agricultural life, with 80% of the population being farmers, and the rest powerful warlords, who kept a tight hold on all the people of China. -
Creating a Blockage
In December 1933 Chang Kai, Japan mobilised a million men to create blockade to stop the reds, by doing this the reds lost 58% of their territory. -
The secret soldiers
October 1934 the communists lost nearly 60,000 soldiers. The leaders of the red army decided to escape and begin what is known as ‘The Long March.” In early October the red army slowly began to secretly call in their army and by October 17th, 1934, the red army began their march. -
The plan to capture
The 1st red army intelligence officers discovered that the 2nd army swung west and easily captured the town of the zoonyi on January 7th 1935. -
Homing war
January 15th 1935, the Politbureau of the communist central committee held a secret meeting in the home of a war. -
Food? What food?
The red army eventually ran out of food, causing the poor soldiers to have to boil their belts and eat them.
The battle had just ended (for now), many soldiers lay dead clothesless, (because the other soldiers would steal the deads clothing) times were tough and food was scarce, but they knew that their long journey was coming to an end. -
Battle
February 26 1935 the nationalist and the red army collided for a full blown battle. -
Making a deal
May 25th 1935 Mao Zedong and his army entered the village of the Yi and made a deal with the villagers (for them to assists the reds across the river without being seen.) -
Reaching the snowy mountains
June 1935- 8 months through the march with over 3000 miles already walked the army reached the Snowy Mountains the Nationalists decided not to attack the army and let the extreme weather conditions of the nature take its turn on them. The Army suffered immensely. There was little food to go around and many men died from hunger and other sicknesses caused by the harsh weather. An estimated 9000 people’s lives were lost. -
End of the 1st journey
July 1935- The first Red Army reached the end of their treacherous Journey through the Snowy Mountains. They eventually met up with the forth Red Army where they joined forces. -
Finishing off
There is no other march recorded in history like the Long March.
6,000 survivours ended up leading a nation of half a billion
Most of the government and military leaders were made up of the survivours.
Mao Zedong is also known as the Great Helmsman of the Revolution.
The Long March is taught in military academies worldwide.
In 1 year and 1 day, the first Red Army covered 6,000 miles, the distance from new York - San Francisco and back.
They climbed 18 mountain ranges and crossed over 24 river.