People's History of Ideas Podcast

The Guomindang moves to seize Soviet assets in Manchuria. Also, subscribe to the new substack at https://peopleshistoryofideas.substack.com/.Further reading:Bruce A. Elleman and Stephen Kotkin, eds., Manchurian Railways and the Opening of ChinaMichael M. Walker, The 1929 Sino-Soviet WarSome names from this episode:Li Lisan, Chairman of Central Committee Propaganda DepartmentChen Duxiu, Co-founder of the Chinese Communist PartyLi Dazhao, Co-founder of the Chinese Communist PartyLev Karakhan, Soviet deputy commissioner for foreign affairs in 1919 and acting commissioner in 1929Zhang Zuolin, Manchurian warlord killed by Japan in 1928Zhang Xueliang, Manchurian warlord, son of Zhang ZuolinMartemyan Nikitich Ryutin, Bolshevik leader of Harbin soviet in 1917Episode artwork: Flag of the Chinese Eastern RailwaySupport the show

Mao discusses problems in party organization and how to fix them.Further reading:Stuart Schram, ed., Mao’s Road to Power, vol. 3: From the Jinggangshan to the Establishment of the Jiangxi Soviets, July 1927-December 1930Pang Xianzhi and Jin Chongji, Mao Zedong: A Biography, vol. 1: 1893-1949“On the Revolutionary “Three-in-One” Combination”Episode artwork: May 1967 poster “Resolutely Protect the Policy of the Revolutionary Three-in-One Combination”Support the show

We continue our textual analysis of the Gutian Resolution.Further reading:Stuart Schram, ed., Mao’s Road to Power, vol. 3: From the Jinggangshan to the Establishment of the Jiangxi Soviets, July 1927-December 1930Pang Xianzhi and Jin Chongji, Mao Zedong: A Biography, vol. 1: 1893-1949Mao Zedong, “On Correcting Mistaken Ideas in the Party”“Bury the Slave Mentality Advocated by China’s Khrushchov” in Peking Review (April 14, 1967)Some names from this episode:Liu Shaoqi, top level Communist Party leader attacked as China’s Khrushchev during the Cultural RevolutionZhou Enlai, head of the Organization Department of the Central CommitteeLi Lisan, leading CommunistQu Qiubai, top leader of Communist Party from the summer of 1927 until the Sixth CongressHuang Chao, salt merchant who led a rebellion from 875-884Li Chuang (Li Zicheng), bandit leader who seized Beijing in 1644 and was later defeated by the ManchusHong Xiuquan, leader of the Taiping Revolution and claimed to be the younger brother of Jesus ChristChen Yi, member of Front Committee of Fourth Red ArmyEpisode artwork: Gutian villageSupport the show

On the importance of the Resolution, and a beginning discussion of the actual text.Further reading:Stuart Schram, ed., Mao’s Road to Power, vol. 3: From the Jinggangshan to the Establishment of the Jiangxi Soviets, July 1927-December 1930Pang Xianzhi and Jin Chongji, Mao Zedong: A Biography, vol. 1: 1893-1949Mao Zedong, “On Correcting Mistaken Ideas in the Party”Episode artwork: Photo of the Gutian CongressSupport the show

We look at two letters written by Mao on November 28, 1929, and introduce our discussion of “On Correcting Mistaken Ideas in the Party” and the other parts of the Gutian Resolution.Further reading:Pang Xianzhi and Jin Chongji, Mao Zedong: A Biography, vol. 1: 1893-1949Stuart Schram, ed., Mao’s Road to Power, vol. 3: From the Jinggangshan to the Establishment of the Jiangxi Soviets, July 1927-December 1930Mao Zedong, “On Correcting Mistaken Ideas in the Party”Abimael Guzmán, “Report of the Meeting of the Central Leadership with the Cangallo-Fajardo Regional Committee”Peking Review (Feb. 3, 1967)Some names from this episode:Li Lisan, Chairman of Central Committee Propaganda DepartmentYang Kaihui, Mao’s first wifeMao Anying, Mao’s first sonChen Yi, member of Front Committee of Fourth Red ArmyChen Duxiu, former general secretary of the Communist PartyMao Zemin, Mao’s brotherXie Hanqiu, observer from the Fujian Provincial CommitteeLiu Heting, Guomindang military commanderJin Handing, Guomindang military commanderZhang Zhen, Guomindang military commanderEpisode artwork: He Kongde’s Gutian Meeting posterSupport the show

The Communists take the fortified city of Shanghang in southwestern Fujian.Further reading and watching:Agnes Smedley, The Great Road: The Life and Times of Chu Teh [Zhu De]The Battle for Dien Bien PhuPang Xianzhi and Jin Chongji, Mao Zedong: A Biography, vol. 1: 1893-1949Stuart Schram, ed., Mao’s Road to Power, vol. 3: From the Jinggangshan to the Establishment of the Jiangxi Soviets, July 1927-December 1930Some names from this episode:Lin Biao, commander of the first column of the Fourth Red ArmyLu Hanmin, Guomindang militaristLiu Angong, special envoy sent by Party Center to the Fourth Red ArmyEpisode artwork: Aerial view of modern ShanghangSupport the show

The Central Committee turns out to support centralized leadership. Also, the Comintern publishes Mao’s obituary.Further reading:Pang Xianzhi and Jin Chongji, Mao Zedong: A Biography, vol. 1: 1893-1949Stuart Schram, ed., Mao’s Road to Power, vol. 3: From the Jinggangshan to the Establishment of the Jiangxi Soviets, July 1927-December 1930Joseph Fewsmith, Forging Leninism in China: Mao and the Remaking of the Chinese Communist Party, 1927–1934Mao Zedong nianpu, 1893-1937 (毛泽东年谱)Chen Jian, Zhou Enlai: A LifeZhou Enlai, Selected Works of Zhou Enlai, vol. 1Some names from this episode:Chen Yi, replaced Mao as secretary of the Front CommitteeXiang Zhongfa, General secretary of the CPZhou Enlai, head of the Organization Department of the Central Committee Li Lisan, Leading CommunistLiu Angong, special envoy sent by Party Center to the Fourth Red ArmySupport the show

Delve into the intense ideological battles within the Communist Party and how they shaped Mao Zedong's strategies. Discover Mao's tactical maneuvers after stepping back from leadership, revealing both victories and challenges. Learn about the significant impact of land reform policies on over 800,000 peasants in Western Fujian, and unravel misconceptions regarding Mao's health during this pivotal time. The complexities of Mao's political struggles illuminate the historical narratives that surround his legacy.

We continue our close reading of Mao’s letter to Lin Biao. In this episode, Mao discusses the roving rebel band mentality and the organizational state of affairs in the army, party, and mass organizations.Further reading:Pang Xianzhi and Jin Chongji, Mao Zedong: A Biography, vol. 1: 1893-1949Stuart Schram, ed., Mao’s Road to Power, vol. 3: From the Jinggangshan to the Establishment of the Jiangxi Soviets, July 1927-December 1930Agnes Smedley, The Great Road: The Life and Times of Chu Teh [Zhu De]Mao Zedong, “On Correcting Mistaken Ideas in the Party”Some names from this episode:Liu Angong, special envoy sent by Party Center to the Fourth Red ArmyYang Sen, Sichuan warlordZhu Yunqing, chief political advisor to the Fourth Red ArmyEpisode artwork: photo of Zhu YunqingSupport the show

The Party Center’s intervention in the Fourth Red Army combines with a string of military victories to bring a simmering dispute between Mao and Zhu to a head.Further reading:Pang Xianzhi and Jin Chongji, Mao Zedong: A Biography, vol. 1: 1893-1949Stuart Schram, ed., Mao’s Road to Power, vol. 3: From the Jinggangshan to the Establishment of the Jiangxi Soviets, July 1927-December 1930Joseph Fewsmith, Forging Leninism in China: Mao and the Remaking of the Chinese Communist Party, 1927–1934Mao Zedong nianpu, 1893-1937 (毛泽东年谱)Some names from this episode:Zhou Enlai, head of the Organization Department of the Central CommitteeLiu Angong, special envoy sent by Party Center to the Fourth Red ArmyLin Biao, commander of the first column of the Fourth Red ArmyPeng Dehuai, commander of the Fifth Red ArmySupport the show