Mao doesn’t budge on his military line in the face of pressure from the Party Center, and then gets arrested. Further reading:Marcia … [Read more...] about Episode 60: Planning the Autumn Harvest Uprising in Hunan
Episode 59: The Autumn Harvest Uprising in Hubei
The planning and execution of the Autumn Harvest Uprising in southern Hubei province. Further reading:Marcia Ristaino, China’s Art of Revolution: … [Read more...] about Episode 59: The Autumn Harvest Uprising in Hubei
Episode 58: The “Tender-Hearted Communist:” Qu Qiubai
Background on Qu Qiubai before he became Communist leader in 1927. Further reading:Tsi-an Hsia, The Gate of Darkness: Studies on the Leftist … [Read more...] about Episode 58: The “Tender-Hearted Communist:” Qu Qiubai
Episode 57: Army or Militia? Mao and the Politburo Diverge on Military Policy for the Autumn Harvest Uprising
Mao takes a critical position on the military line pursued by the Comintern and the Politburo. Also, the issue of scapegoating individuals as a way of … [Read more...] about Episode 57: Army or Militia? Mao and the Politburo Diverge on Military Policy for the Autumn Harvest Uprising
Episode 56: The Decisive Turn to Overthrowing the Guomindang: The 7 August 1927 Emergency Conference
The new policy of mass uprisings against the Guomindang is decided upon, and Mao’s comments at the meeting stand out for their … [Read more...] about Episode 56: The Decisive Turn to Overthrowing the Guomindang: The 7 August 1927 Emergency Conference
Episode 55: The Nanchang Uprising (August 1, 1927)
The mutiny that founded the Chinese Red Army. Further reading:Tony Saich, The Rise to Power of the Chinese Communist PartyStuart Schram, … [Read more...] about Episode 55: The Nanchang Uprising (August 1, 1927)
Episode 54: The End of the United Front (June to July 1927)
As the Wuhan regime collapses, so does the united front. Soviet advisors leave China, Chinese Communists go underground. The purge strikes … [Read more...] about Episode 54: The End of the United Front (June to July 1927)
Episode 53: “Like Taking a Bath in a Toilet” (May and June 1927)
The Comintern’s guidance falls short in response to the ongoing massacre of peasants.Further reading:C. Martin Wilbur, The Nationalist Revolution in … [Read more...] about Episode 53: “Like Taking a Bath in a Toilet” (May and June 1927)
Episode 52: “An Example of the Chinese Tenant-Peasant’s Life”
This episode is an appendix to episode 51, and consists of a booklet written by Mao Zedong describing the life of a tenant-peasant in Hunan. This … [Read more...] about Episode 52: “An Example of the Chinese Tenant-Peasant’s Life”
Episode 51: Mao Tries to Legislate a Peasant Revolution: The Wuhan Land Commission (April to May 1927)
Mao’s experience on the Wuhan Guomindang Left government’s Land Commission, with some comparative remarks on land reform in Communist … [Read more...] about Episode 51: Mao Tries to Legislate a Peasant Revolution: The Wuhan Land Commission (April to May 1927)