“The Nanjing decade (1927–1937) was a complete failure.” To what extent do you agree with this statement?

The question requires that candidates consider the merits or otherwise of the statement that the Nanjing decade (1927–1937) was a complete failure. Candidates may consider a range of social, political, economic and military policies and should show examples of failures and successes. In terms of economics, candidates may refer to Jiang Jieshi’s inability to address the extreme poverty experienced by the peasants, but could also argue that infrastructure in the cities, such as transportation and communication, was developed. Candidates may address the oppressive nature of the regime to argue that politically it was a failure, but they may also identify Jiang’s renegotiations of the Unequal Treaties as a success. Candidates may argue that the New Life Movement was an example of a social failure as it did not address China’s problems, but Jiang’s banning of foot binding would be seen as a positive development. Candidates’ opinions or conclusions will be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.

The question required that candidates consider the merits or otherwise of the statement that the Nanjing decade (1927-1937) was a complete failure. A very popular question which was answered exceptionally well. These were probably the strongest responses seen on this paper overall. Nearly all responses were balanced with successes and failures. There was also a good range of social, political and economic examples and there was good coverage of the whole time period. There were a few responses that focused too heavily on Jiang's dealings with the CCP but overall candidates responded to this question very effectively.