The story of how the co-founder and first General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party became a Trotskyist. Further reading:Gregor … [Read more...] about Episode 132: Chen Duxiu Update (or, the Devil Makes Work for Idle Hands) (1929)
ComIntern
Episode 131: Did the German Communists Really Say “After Hitler, Our Turn?” Exploring the Historical Evidence
Responding to listener queries about the evidence behind this common assertion regarding the KPD’s underestimation of the fascist threat. Further … [Read more...] about Episode 131: Did the German Communists Really Say “After Hitler, Our Turn?” Exploring the Historical Evidence
Episode 130: Revolution in the ‘20s, Go For It: The ‘Third Period’ Comes to China
The 1920s that is. The Comintern lets the Chinese Communist Party’s Central Committee know how the objective conditions in China are ripening for … [Read more...] about Episode 130: Revolution in the ‘20s, Go For It: The ‘Third Period’ Comes to China
Episode 106: The End of the Sixth Congress
We wrap up our discussion of the Sixth Congress with a discussion of the political line coming out of the congress, and some related … [Read more...] about Episode 106: The End of the Sixth Congress
Episode 105: Clashing Communists and Comintern Guidance: The 6th Congress Gets off to a Rocky Start
Qu Qiubai’s report and proposal are disputed, and the Comintern intervenes to restore order. Further reading:Tony Saich, The Rise to Power of … [Read more...] about Episode 105: Clashing Communists and Comintern Guidance: The 6th Congress Gets off to a Rocky Start
Episode 104: Bukharin on the Nature of the Chinese Revolution in 1928
Our third (and last) close look at Bukharin’s speech at the 6th Congress of the Chinese Communist Party, held in Moscow in the summer of … [Read more...] about Episode 104: Bukharin on the Nature of the Chinese Revolution in 1928
Episode 103: Bukharin on the Theory of the Productive Forces (and Mao’s counterpoint on New Democratic Revolution)
Bukharin articulates a vision of the Chinese Revolution at the 6th Party Congress which is highly colored by the non-revolutionary Marxism of the 2nd … [Read more...] about Episode 103: Bukharin on the Theory of the Productive Forces (and Mao’s counterpoint on New Democratic Revolution)
Episode 102: The ‘Third Period’ of the World Revolution: Bukharin’s Speech at the Sixth Congress of the Chinese Communist Party (June 1928)
Nikolai Bukharin kicks off the party congress with a very long speech. Further reading:Tony Saich, The Rise to Power of the Chinese Communist … [Read more...] about Episode 102: The ‘Third Period’ of the World Revolution: Bukharin’s Speech at the Sixth Congress of the Chinese Communist Party (June 1928)
Episode 101: Preparations for the Sixth Party Congress (April to May 1928)
The decision to hold the Sixth Party Congress in Moscow, and some of the political debate inside the Communist Party of China leading up to that … [Read more...] about Episode 101: Preparations for the Sixth Party Congress (April to May 1928)
Episode 19: Communist Unionizing and the Genesis of the United Front with the Guomindang
The Communist Party begins its labor organizing drive, and the Comintern pushes for a united front with the Guomindang.Further reading:Elizabeth … [Read more...] about Episode 19: Communist Unionizing and the Genesis of the United Front with the Guomindang
Episode 18: Workers’ Revolution or Nationalist United Front? Early Strategic Decisions of the Chinese Communist Party
The early divergence in strategic thinking and revolutionary priorities between the CCP and the Comintern. Further reading:Tony … [Read more...] about Episode 18: Workers’ Revolution or Nationalist United Front? Early Strategic Decisions of the Chinese Communist Party
Episode 17: Demarcation and Organization: The Chinese Communist Party is Founded
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
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