To what extent did the mistakes of the Nationalists lead to their defeat in the Chinese Civil War (1946–1949)?

Candidates are required to consider the merits or otherwise of the statement that the mistakes of the Nationalists led to their defeat in the Chinese Civil War (1946–49). Nationalist mistakes for consideration may include: the over-extension of their forces into Manchuria and Yan’an; their failure to cultivate the support of the peasantry and the mismanagement of the economy leading to hyperinflation. The poor quality of military and political leadership of the Guomindang led to widespread desertion and low morale. To assess the extent to which Nationalist mistakes led to their defeat, candidates may consider alternative factors including the leadership, popular policies and tactics of the Communists. Candidates may also argue that foreign influence and the experiences from the Sino-Japanese War played a role in the outcome of the Civil War.