Discuss the factors that helped and hindered the rise of communism in China in the 1920s.

Candidates will offer a considered and balanced review of the factors that helped and hindered the rise of Communism in China in the 1920s. Candidates may adopt a chronological approach to this response to show the development of the party or they may address factors that helped and hindered communism separately. It should be noted that many events, such as the creation of the First United Front, could be said to have helped and hindered the party. Candidates may refer to the May 4th Movement, the creation of the Chinese Communist Party and the role of Comintern in its development. Candidates may discuss how the Northern Expedition enabled the CCP to gain support amongst the peasantry. Candidates may argue that Sun Yixian’s death and the emergence of Jiang as leader of the GMD hindered the development of communism as Jiang launched the White Terror to eliminate communists.