Polemics with non-revolutionary Marxists and anarchists, and then the party congress in July 1921.Further reading:Arif Dirlik, The Origins of … [Read more...] about Episode 17: Demarcation and Organization: The Chinese Communist Party is Founded
Episode 16: From Russia with Organizational Expertise: The Comintern Comes to China
Gregory Voitinsky comes to China and helps get the ball rolling to found the Communist Party. Also, a few words on commodity fetishism as the keystone … [Read more...] about Episode 16: From Russia with Organizational Expertise: The Comintern Comes to China
The Road Is Tortuous: The Chinese Revolution and the End of the Global Sixties
This article by Matthew Rothwell was recently published in the Chilean journal Revista Izquierdas. Abstract: This article argues that the rightward … [Read more...] about The Road Is Tortuous: The Chinese Revolution and the End of the Global Sixties
Episode 15: The Communist International
Explaining how the strategic thinking of the Communist International developed, as background to the key role the ComIntern played in facilitating the … [Read more...] about Episode 15: The Communist International
Episode 14: Mao’s Anarchist Years (The Young Mao Zedong Part Two)
In this episode we continue our examination of Mao Zedong’s ideological development by discussing his anarchist period. Further reading:Stuart … [Read more...] about Episode 14: Mao’s Anarchist Years (The Young Mao Zedong Part Two)
Episode 13: Liberals Becoming Marxists: The New Culture and May 4th Movements (1915-1919)
In this episode we explore the move from liberalism toward Marxism among progressive intellectuals in the 1915-1919 period, and how those ideas began … [Read more...] about Episode 13: Liberals Becoming Marxists: The New Culture and May 4th Movements (1915-1919)
Breaking with Old Ideas
Breaking with Old Ideas is a 1975 Chinese film from the Cultural Revolution which explores the relationship between intellectuals, peasants and … [Read more...] about Breaking with Old Ideas
Episode 12: The Young Mao Zedong
In this episode we look at Mao Zedong’s childhood, family background, and see what he was thinking in 1912. Further reading:Edgar Snow, Red … [Read more...] about Episode 12: The Young Mao Zedong
Episode 11: The 1911 Revolution
The overthrow of the Qing Dynasty, followed by the first years of the Republic of China. Further reading on the 1911 Revolution:Joseph Esherick and … [Read more...] about Episode 11: The 1911 Revolution
Episode 10: Revolutionary Voices from the End of the Qing Dynasty
In this episode, we explore some of the major voices of revolution from the decade preceding the end of the Qing Dynasty in 1912: Zou Rong, Qiu Jin … [Read more...] about Episode 10: Revolutionary Voices from the End of the Qing Dynasty