Arc 4: Nationalists vs Communists = Sabaody

What was the Northern Expedition (1926–27), and why was it important?

The GMD (Nationalists), led by Chiang Kai-shek, allied with the CCP to defeat warlords and unify China. They succeeded militarily, but in 1927, Chiang betrayed the CCP in the Shanghai Massacre.

Chiang = Kizaru (appears as an ally of “order,” but crushes the Straw Hats/CCP when it suits him).

Why did Chiang Kai-shek purge the Communists in 1927?

Chiang saw the CCP as a threat to his authority. With support from business elites and foreign backers, he massacred thousands in Shanghai, ending the fragile alliance.

Like Kizaru effortlessly dismantling the Straw Hats, brutal and one-sided.

What weaknesses plagued the GMD government under Chiang?

Rampant corruption, nepotism, factionalism, and obsession with eliminating the CCP instead of resisting Japan. This alienated intellectuals and weakened legitimacy.

Chiang’s regime = the corrupt Sabaody slave auction house — rotten at the core, exploiting people, pretending to be in control.

How did the CCP adapt after the 1927 betrayal?

The CCP shifted from workers to peasants, building rural bases. Mao emerged as a leader by focusing on land reform and guerrilla warfare.

Mao = Luffy, underestimated but building strength by rallying ordinary people.

What was the Jiangxi Soviet (1929–34), and what happened to it?

Mao and Zhu De established a rural base with land reform and guerrilla tactics. It was eventually destroyed by Chiang’s 5th campaign, forcing the Long March.

Jiangxi = the Grove where the Straw Hats regroup, but it was destroyed when the Pacifistas attacked.

What was the Long March (1934–35), and why is it legendary?

A 6,000-mile retreat, where 80–90% of the CCP died. At the Zunyi Conference, Mao rose as leader. Despite the disaster, it became a myth of sacrifice and survival.

Like the Straw Hats scattered by Kuma, devastating but setting the stage for a stronger comeback.

Chiang Kai-shek (GMD leader, purged CCP, corrupt, obsessed with power)

Kizaru

Appears calm and “lawful” but crushes enemies mercilessly.

Warlords (fragmented regional powers, defeated in Northern Expedition)

Sabaody pirates and slave traders

Local power-holders, violent but ultimately weak against larger forces.

Mao Zedong (CCP leader, rose during Long March, peasant-based strategy)

Luffy

Underdog underestimated by elites, survives disaster, rallies the masses.

Zhu De (military commander, co-founder of CCP army)

Zoro

Loyal right-hand man, military strength complementing Mao’s leadership.

Communist peasants (base of CCP support)

Sabaody civilians/slaves

Oppressed masses who become the true strength behind revolution.

How did the CCP survive while the GMD weakened?

The CCP tied itself to peasants, mastered guerrilla warfare, and turned survival into myth (Yan’an, Long March). Meanwhile, the GMD rotted with corruption, leaving CCP as the credible revolutionary force.

Like the Straw Hats’ survival after Kuma’s attack → scattered, battered, but remembered, while corrupt Sabaody elites collapse under their own weakness.