Why did Chiang Kai-shek think the Communists were more dangerous than the Japanese?

Answer 1

Chiang Kai-shek believed the Communists posed a greater threat than the Japanese because he viewed them as a fundamental challenge to his nationalist government and the established order in China. He feared that the Communists' ideology could incite social unrest and undermine his authority, leading to a loss of control over the country. Additionally, he believed that the Communist movement had the potential to unify and mobilize the populace against his regime, while the Japanese invasion, though severe, was a more traditional military conflict that could be fought with nationalist unity. Hence, Chiang prioritized combating the Communist threat even amidst the ongoing Japanese aggression.