Modern China Pt. 2: The Chinese Revolution & Civil War w/ Ken Hammond
Apr 22, 2024
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Guest Ken Hammond, an expert on modern Chinese history, discusses the Chinese Revolution & Civil War. Topics include the fall of the Qing Dynasty, Sun Yat Sen's revolutionary efforts, the warlord era, the significance of the Long March, and the legacy of the Chinese Civil War.
The Long March in 1934 marked a pivotal decision to break out from challenges and embrace Mao Zedong's leadership principles.
The Red Army's people-centered approach during the Long March reflected their commitment to building solidarity with civilians and minority populations.
The formation of the Second United Front to combat Japanese aggression highlighted the complex political landscape and the united resistance of nationalists and communists.
Deep dives
Challenges Faced During the Zhangxi Base Area Encirclement Campaigns
The Zhangxi base area became a focal point attracting nationalist military campaigns to suppress the communists, leading to yearly encirclement campaigns tightening the stronghold around the area. With these challenges, the decision to break out and embark on the long march was made in October 1934.
The Impact of the Zuni Conference on Communist Leadership
Following the heroic long march, the Zuni Conference held in January 1935 accepted Mao Zedong's ideological breakthrough on the agricultural proletariat, setting the foundation for the party's leadership principles moving forward. Mao was appointed as the military commission chairman, further solidifying his influence on the communist movement.
People-Centered Approach Along the Long March
During the long march, the Red Army demonstrated a people-centered approach, maintaining discipline, respecting local customs, and embracing the unity of workers in the industrial and agricultural proletariats. The interactions with ordinary civilians and ethnic minority populations reflected the communists' commitment to building solidarity with the people, creating mutual understanding and cooperation.
A Call to the Second United Front and Support from Bolsheviks
The second United Front arises in response to the imperial Japanese threat, leading the Nationalists and Chinese Communists to join forces to resist Japanese expansion into China. The assistance from the Bolsheviks in the north reinforced the communist struggle, aligning with their preference for the Chinese Communists to prevail in the conflict and offering support to the revolutionary movement amidst the complex political landscape of the era.
Formation of the Second United Front
The podcast delves into the events leading to the formation of the Second United Front between the nationalists and the communists to combat Japanese aggression. Zhang Sholian's house arrest of Zhang Kai-shek prompted the alliance. Despite internal conflicts, the nationalists and communists united to resist Japanese invasion, with the communists conducting guerrilla warfare behind Japanese lines.
Effectiveness of the Red Army and Nationalist Army
The Red Army's effectiveness during the Chinese Civil War stemmed from being a volunteer-based, people's army with strong peasant support. In contrast, the Nationalist Army was a conscripted force plagued by corruption and lack of resources. The Red Army's appeal led to many Nationalist soldiers defecting. After liberation, the Red Army's successful march into Beijing signified the beginning of consolidating the revolution under the new political order of the People's Republic of China.
In this episode of Guerrilla History, we get into part 2 of our 4 part miniseries on modern Chinese history featuring Ken Hammond (and guest host Breht O'Shea of Revolutionary Left Radio) with this absolutely terrific discussion on the Chinese Revolution & Civil War! If you haven't already listened to part 1 of the series, on the Taiping and Boxer Rebellions, be sure to do so because we pick up right where we left off last time. The next two installments will cover the Great Leap Forward and the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution, and then the Reform period up to the present day, so be sure to not miss any of those upcoming episodes!
Ken Hammond is Professor of East Asian and Global History at New Mexico State University. He has been engaged in radical politics since his involvement in the anti-war movement at Kent State in 1968-70. Ken is also the author of the book China’s Revolution & the Quest for a Socialist Future.
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