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Mao’s ascent within the Communist Party was solidified during the Long March (1934-1935), an epic retreat to evade the nationalist forces. This grueling ordeal forged him into the party's unquestionable leader. The cultural and social backdrop of the time highlighted Mao’s ideological beliefs interwoven with a deepening sense of nationalism.
During World War II, the increasing threat from Japan forced a temporary alliance between the nationalists and communists. Despite the external pressures, civil unrest and ideological divisions persisted. Mao adeptly maneuvered through these complexities, strengthening his control over the communist party while rallying the peasantry against both imperialism and the nationalists.