Potentially explosive guidance arrives in the Jinggangshan from the 6th Party Congress of the Communist Party, and plans are laid to break out of the … [Read more...] about Episode 100: The Bailu Conference: Suppressing Orders from the Party Congress and Preparing to Leave the Jinggangshan (January 1929)
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Episode 99: The Base Area under Economic Blockade and Unification with the Fifth Red Army (End of 1928)
The national Guomindang center takes note of the Communists’ resilience, and takes charge of organizing a new suppression campaign, which is preceded … [Read more...] about Episode 99: The Base Area under Economic Blockade and Unification with the Fifth Red Army (End of 1928)
Episode 98: Vagrants, Mercenaries, and Rich Peasants (November 1928)
A close reading of a couple portions of Mao’s November 25, 1928 report to the Central Committee. Further reading:Stephen Averill, Revolution … [Read more...] about Episode 98: Vagrants, Mercenaries, and Rich Peasants (November 1928)
Episode 97: Transforming, Building, and Purging the Party (September to November 1928)
Finishing our close reading of the resolution of the Border Area Party Congress of October 4 to 6, 1928. Also, the reorganization and purge of the … [Read more...] about Episode 97: Transforming, Building, and Purging the Party (September to November 1928)
Episode 96: Opportunism and Self-Criticism: The Jinggangshan Party Congress Resolution of October 1928
A discussion of the concept of opportunism as it developed in the international communist movement, and a close reading of the self-critical portion … [Read more...] about Episode 96: Opportunism and Self-Criticism: The Jinggangshan Party Congress Resolution of October 1928
Episode 95: “Why Is It that Red Political Power Can Exist in China?” (October 1928)
A close reading of the portion of the resolution of the Border Area Party Congress of October 4 to 6, 1928, which later became a key early text in the … [Read more...] about Episode 95: “Why Is It that Red Political Power Can Exist in China?” (October 1928)
Episode 94: The August Defeat (Part 2): The Communists Strike Back (August to November 1928)
The Communists fight to regain lost territory, and ethnic tensions explode among the peasants in the base area. Further reading:Stephen … [Read more...] about Episode 94: The August Defeat (Part 2): The Communists Strike Back (August to November 1928)
Episode 93: The August Defeat (Part 1)
The 29th Regiment goes against Mao’s orders and decides to stay in Hunan, with disastrous results for the Communists. Further reading:Stephen … [Read more...] about Episode 93: The August Defeat (Part 1)
Episode 92: The Yongxin Joint Conference and Mao’s July 4, 1928 Report to the Hunan Provincial Committee
Mao explains his refusal to comply with orders from the Hunan Provincial Committee. Further reading:Stephen Averill, Revolution in the Highlands: … [Read more...] about Episode 92: The Yongxin Joint Conference and Mao’s July 4, 1928 Report to the Hunan Provincial Committee
Episode 91: Clandestine Transcripts of Revolutionary Globalization: The Shining Paths of Late Cultural Revolution Maoism
A talk that I recently delivered at the University of Hamburg, focused on the development of a new socialist political economy late in the Cultural … [Read more...] about Episode 91: Clandestine Transcripts of Revolutionary Globalization: The Shining Paths of Late Cultural Revolution Maoism
Episode 90: Nuclear War and Communist Revolution
In light of the Ukraine crisis, a historical look at communist thinking on the connection between a third world war and revolution. Further … [Read more...] about Episode 90: Nuclear War and Communist Revolution
Episode 89: The Beginning of the Midyear Crisis (June 1928)
The Hunan Provincial Committee decides that Mao must obey its authority. Further reading:Stephen Averill, Revolution in the Highlands: China’s … [Read more...] about Episode 89: The Beginning of the Midyear Crisis (June 1928)
Episode 88: Land Revolution and Communist Party Growth: The High Tide of the Jinggangshan Base Area (Summer 1928)
In the wake of their military victories in late Spring 1928, the Communists carried out a major land redistribution and a mass recruitment drive. … [Read more...] about Episode 88: Land Revolution and Communist Party Growth: The High Tide of the Jinggangshan Base Area (Summer 1928)
Episode 87: Beating Back Suppression Campaigns and Expanding the Jinggangshan Base Area (May to June 1928)
Mao Zedong and Zhu De learn warfare through warfare as they face continuing onslaughts from Guomindang forces. Further reading/watching:Stephen … [Read more...] about Episode 87: Beating Back Suppression Campaigns and Expanding the Jinggangshan Base Area (May to June 1928)
Episode 86: The Jinggangshan Junction of Forces: Mao Zedong and Zhu De Unite (April to May 1928)
The unification of Mao Zedong’s and Zhu De’s forces. Some discussion of the problems involved in unifying the Communist armed forces. Further … [Read more...] about Episode 86: The Jinggangshan Junction of Forces: Mao Zedong and Zhu De Unite (April to May 1928)
Episode 85: The Wages of Revolution: Life Underground in Shanghai in the Late 1920s (Part 3)
Discussing pay for professional revolutionaries, the role of servants in the lives of Communist leaders, and the Comintern in Shanghai. Further … [Read more...] about Episode 85: The Wages of Revolution: Life Underground in Shanghai in the Late 1920s (Part 3)
Episode 84: Friendship, Compartmentalization, and Assassination Squads: Life Underground in Shanghai in the Late 1920s (Part 2)
How did the Communist Party try to protect itself in Shanghai? We discuss the compartmentalized party organization and the creation of the Special … [Read more...] about Episode 84: Friendship, Compartmentalization, and Assassination Squads: Life Underground in Shanghai in the Late 1920s (Part 2)
Episode 83: Life Underground in Shanghai in the Late 1920s (Part 1)
The Communist Party Center remained underground in the dangerous city of Shanghai during the late 1920s and early 1930s. Further … [Read more...] about Episode 83: Life Underground in Shanghai in the Late 1920s (Part 1)
Episode 82: Mao’s (Temporary) Expulsion from the Communist Party and the Collapse of the South Hunan Uprising (March and April 1928)
The Party Center puts the South Hunan Special Committee in charge of the Jinggangshan, and the contrast between the strategies advocated by Mao and … [Read more...] about Episode 82: Mao’s (Temporary) Expulsion from the Communist Party and the Collapse of the South Hunan Uprising (March and April 1928)
Episode 81: The Southern Hunan Uprising (Early 1928)
We look at the successful conquest of three cities (and one heart) by Zhu De during the course of the uprising he led in south Hunan at the beginning … [Read more...] about Episode 81: The Southern Hunan Uprising (Early 1928)