Macro N Cheese

**Every episode of Macro N Cheese has a full transcript at https://realprogressives.org/macro-n-cheese-podcast/ (realprogressives.org/macro-n-cheese-podcast). While you’re there, check out the extras page, with links to further information related to the week’s topic. The first part of this three-part series talked about China from Mao’s birth in 1893 through the Sino-Japanese war to the eve of the Chinese Civil War in 1945. This week, Carl discusses the civil war and the ultimate success of the Chinese Communist forces, despite being vastly outnumbered – 1.2 million against the KMT’s 4.5 million. The US looked to China to be its junior partner in East Asia, much like Japan is today. They backed Chiang Kai-shek with military training, weapons, and other resources. A government led by the KMT would preclude a strong China-Soviet alliance. Most leftists are familiar with the historic revolutionary form of warfare developed by Mao and the People’s Liberation Army. Lacking the numbers and equipment for a trad