The grassland that the Red Army stepped on during the Long March, 80 years later, is it still danger

Mondo History Updated on 2024-01-19

In 1933, the Chinese nation encountered an unprecedented crisis. Under the invasion of Japanese imperialism, the land of North China suffered unprecedented destruction, and the national crisis deepened sharply. However, in the face of this situation, Chiang Kai-shek of the Kuomintang never regarded the defense of the country and the liberation of the nation as the primary task, but launched the fifth encirclement and suppression of the ** revolutionary base area. The Red Army, which was far inferior in numbers and equipment, was in an extremely difficult situation. In the fifth encirclement and suppression, the Red Army paid great sacrifices, and the situation became even more difficult. In order to continue to keep the flame of the revolution alive, an extremely difficult decision was made - to evacuate the revolutionary base area and move to the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningbo region, where the enemy was weakly defended.

In October 1934, the famous Long March began. The Red Army broke through the four heavy encirclements set up by the enemy, forcibly crossed the Wujiang River, occupied Zunyi, crossed the Chishui River four times, flew to capture the Luding Bridge, trekked on the snow-capped mountains, and finally crossed the famous Songpan grassland, and joined forces with the large army in 1936. However, when the Red Army came to this vast steppe, they found that the hardships were not over, and new challenges awaited them.

Located in the northwest of China's Sichuan Province, the Songpan Grassland is an important passage connecting the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. With an average altitude of 3,400 meters above sea level, this grassland has a cold climate and treacherous terrain, with muddy swamps everywhere. According to statistics, the area of marshland is more than 300,000 hectares. When the Red Army first set foot on the steppe in August 1935, the dangers they faced far exceeded their expectations.

In this steppe, swamps are everywhere and it is difficult to tell. The slightest carelessness and the Red Army fighters fell into it. Even after consulting the local herders in advance, many of them still got stuck in the swamp and even died during the march. In addition, the mud swamps formed by the mixing of soil and water in the steppes made the marching speed of the Red Army greatly reduced. In a situation of food shortage, the Red Army fighters had to look for ways to get food. As recorded in The Golden Hook, the Red Army overcame various difficulties by making their own hooks to catch fish.

These experiences not only tested the courage and wisdom of the Red Army soldiers, but also demonstrated their firm belief in the revolutionary cause.

Over time, this grassland, formerly known as "cannibalism", has undergone drastic changes. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, the Songpan grassland was comprehensively managed. By building drainage canals, planting grasses with strong grip, building dikes and arcading land, they transformed the Songpan grassland from a dangerous area into a high-quality pasture. In addition, grassland development has combined agriculture and animal husbandry, providing local herders with more livelihood options.

With the development of time, Songpan Grassland has become a tourist attraction with beautiful scenery and national characteristics, and has been included in the "World Natural Heritage List". In order to commemorate the heroism and sacrifice of the Red Army's Long March, the Long March Monument was established on the Songpan grassland, and Deng Gong personally inscribed it, becoming the first golden monument in China. This monument is not only a memorial to that arduous journey, but also a testament to the resilience of the Red Army.

The history of the Long March and the changes in the Songpan grassland constitute an important part of Chinese history and culture. They are not only the experiences of the past, but also the inspiration and motivation for future development. The Long March has taught us that in all times, in the face of difficulties and challenges, we need firm faith, courage and wisdom. The spirit of the Long March is not only a tribute to the past, but also an inspiration and guidance for the future.

Against the backdrop of rapid economic development and rapid social changes, the spirit of the Long March still has unique practical significance. It inspires us to remain determined and courageous in the face of difficulties and challenges, and to persevere in the pursuit of our goals. The spirit of the Long March has been embodied in various fields such as education, science and technology, and economy, and has become an important driving force for social progress and development.

At the same time, the changes in the Songpan grassland are also a microcosm of China's environmental protection and sustainable development. From the once desolate grassland to the current tourist attraction, this change not only demonstrates the restoration and improvement of the natural environment, but also reflects China's efforts and achievements in environmental governance and sustainable development.

The history of the Long March and the changes in the Songpan grassland tell us that only with firm faith and courageous actions can we overcome difficulties and adversity and achieve personal and social development. At the same time, environmental protection and sustainable development are our responsibility and mission, which requires us to make continuous efforts to create a better living environment for future generations.

The spirit of the Long March and the changes in the Songpan grassland are not only the precious wealth of China, but also the common wealth of all mankind. They remind us that the lessons and experiences of history are precious and need to be passed on and carried forward. At the same time, we should also pay attention to the current problems and challenges, actively explore solutions, and provide wisdom and motivation for future development.

The spirit of the Long March and the changes in the Songpan grassland are an important part of Chinese history and culture, as well as an important driving force for the progress and development of human society. We should cherish and pass on this precious historical legacy, and at the same time follow its example to forge ahead in pursuit of a better future.

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