The Long March was a massive military retreat undertaken by the Red Army of the Communist Party of China (CPC) to evade the pursuit of the Nationalist (Kuomintang) forces. Covering over 6,000 miles (9,000 km) through some of China's most difficult terrain, the march lasted a year and resulted in the deaths of approximately 90% of the original force. However, the event was a psychological victory; it allowed the communists to regroup in Yan'an and solidified Mao Zedong's position as the undisputed leader of the party. The Long March became a foundational myth for the People's Republic of China, symbolizing the resilience and dedication of the communist movement. It was during this journey that the CPC shifted its focus to mobilizing the peasantry, a strategy that would eventually lead to their victory in the Chinese Civil War.