In 1934 the Communists suffered huge losses against the nationalists in the Chinese Civil War. Faced with the prospect of annhilation the leaders of the Comunist army shose to start what is now called the Long March. This was a tactic of withdrawal into mountainous areas, some 2500 miles to the north and west. The purpose was simple: survival. By undertaking a tactical withdrawal the Communists could ensure that they still had an effective fighting force; could select easy to defend locations; could regroup and could ensure that the Nationalists supply lines were long and susceptible to attacks.
The correct answer to this open question is the following.
What caused Chinese Communists to undertake the Long March in 1933 was the following. The Chinese Communists led by Mao Zedong retreated in October 1934. China was living the Civil War years in which Communists troops fought the Nationalist army. The Long March of the Communist Army lasted one year. The Communist army retreated by night and had to suffer many calamities and deaths. So the retreat was what caused the Long March to evade the persecution and pursue of the Nationalist troops.
Perhaps the greatest transportation development that took place during this time was the creation of the railroad, which many travel and the transfer of goods far easier and therefore far cheaper. <span />
