Why did the Communists and the Nationalists join \[ \text { forces in } 1936 \text { ? } \] to fight the Japanese forces that had invaded China to defend against the Allied troops moving towards China to stop the wildfires started by the civil war

In **1936**, the **Communists (Chinese Communist Party, CCP)** and the **Nationalists (Kuomintang, KMT)** in China **joined forces** primarily **to fight the Japanese forces that had invaded China**. This collaboration is known as the **Second United Front**. ### Here's a breakdown of the reasons: 1. **Japanese Aggression**: - **Background**: Japan had been expanding its influence in Asia, and by the mid-1930s, tensions between China and Japan had escalated. - **Invasion**: The full-scale invasion of China by Japanese forces began in **July 1937** with the Marco Polo Bridge Incident, leading to widespread conflict known as the **Second Sino-Japanese War**. - **Unified Resistance**: Recognizing the significant threat posed by Japan, both the Nationalists and Communists agreed that internal conflicts could weaken China's ability to resist foreign invasion. Hence, they set aside their differences to present a united front against the common enemy. 2. **Defending Against External Threats**: - While the primary focus was on the Japanese invasion, aligning against external threats also meant that both parties aimed to safeguard China's sovereignty and territorial integrity. 3. **Internal Stability**: - The prolonged civil war between the Nationalists and Communists had already caused significant strife within China. By joining forces against Japan, both factions sought to stabilize the nation and prevent further internal "wildfires." ### Addressing the Other Options: - **Defending against the Allied troops moving towards China**: - This is **not accurate**. The "Allied troops" were not a threat to China; in fact, during World War II, China was part of the Allies fighting against the Axis powers, including Japan. - **Stopping the wildfires started by the civil war**: - While reducing internal conflict was a **secondary benefit**, the primary motivator was the external threat posed by Japanese aggression. ### Conclusion The **main reason** for the **Communists and Nationalists** to join forces in **1936** was to **combat the Japanese invasion** and **unify China's defense** against foreign aggression. This strategic alliance, though temporary, was crucial in China's prolonged resistance against Japan during that period.