“Brutal and a failure.” Discuss with reference to Jiang Jieshi’s rule in Taiwan up to 1950.

Candidates will offer a considered and balanced review of the statement, with which they may agree, partially agree or disagree. Discussion should deal with the timeframe from 1945, after the Guomindang took control of Taiwan, to 1950. Candidates may outline the suppression of dissent after the 1947 riots, the imposition of martial law in 1949 and the arrival of Jiang, and argue that his rule was brutal. Some candidates may suggest it was not a failure because the Communists failed to capture Taiwan and he remained in power. Others may argue that Jiang survived because of US support and that the need for brutality demonstrated his failure to govern effectively. Candidates must incorporate a review of both aspects, but there may some imbalance.