To what extent did guerrilla tactics determine the outcome of either the Algerian War (1954–1962) or the Chinese Civil War (1946–1949)?

Candidates are required to consider the merits or otherwise of the suggestion that guerrilla tactics were a determining factor in one of the named wars. In order to justify or refute the claim that guerrilla tactics were the most important factor other reasons for the war’s outcome are likely to be assessed and a clear conclusion reached.

Indicative content

Algerian War (1954–1962)

• Candidates should be able to assess the impact of guerrilla campaigns, notably the 1954 maquisard attacks and the guerrilla war of 1956 to 1957, and French counter-measures, which were militarily effective.
• There may be analysis of French methods, which included sophisticated counter-insurgency tactics such as search-and-destroy missions, helicopters and promotion of divisions among nationalist forces. This limited the effectiveness of guerrilla tactics.
• There may be assessment of guerrilla tactics used by the Front de Libération Nationale, FLN (National Liberation Front), such as terrorism, for example bombings during the Battle of Algiers and torture.The role of foreign support (that of Nasser for example) may be argued as having contributed to the outcome.
• It may be argued that the brutality of the French campaign alienated domestic and international opinion.
• By 1958, when de Gaulle took power, the political climate had changed. French domestic opinion was ready to support Algerian self-rule, the military effort needed to retain control over Algeria had become unsustainable and unpopular with NATO allies, and pressure was mounting from the United Nations.
• A summative argument could be that guerrilla tactics provoked fierce French repression, which alienated moderate opinion and led to the French decision to grant independence.

Chinese Civil War (1946–1949)

• Guerrilla tactics could be considered especially important in the early stages of the war, when Nationalist forces were vastly superior in numbers and weaponry.
• It may be argued that victory was secured in conventional pitched battles such as the 31-day battle at Mukden/Shenyang.
• There may be consideration of other reasons for Communist victory, for example Nationalist tactical errors such as the Manchurian campaign, which overstretched Nationalist supply lines and isolated Nationalist forces in PLA-controlled territory.
• The erosion of Nationalist support because of the ill-treatment of Nationalist troops led to the high desertion rate.
• Nationalist mismanagement of the economy (hyperinflation) and a failure to improve the lot of the peasantry were unpopular.
• The Communist message was focused on land reform and improved educational opportunity; peasant support was vital to communist success.
• Communist leadership was strong, there was a clear ideological message and Mao trusted his generals.
• There may be some assessment of the role of foreign support, for example, the withdrawal of US funding for the Nationalists in 1948.

The above material is an indication of what candidates may elect to write about in their responses. However, it is not exhaustive and no set answer is required.

Examiners and moderators are reminded of the need to apply the markbands that provide the “best fit” to the responses given by candidates and to award credit wherever it is possible to do so.

[20 marks]