People's History of Ideas Podcast

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

The conquest of Yudu, Xingguo, Ningdu, Longyan, and Yongding counties by the Fourth Red Army. Zhu De reminisces. Also, poetry.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 1930Peng Dehuai, Memoirs of a Chinese MarshallAgnes Smedley, The Great Road: The Life and Times of Chu Teh [Zhu De]Joseph 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 CommitteePeng Dehuai, leader of the Fifth Red ArmySupport the show

Mao’s April 5, 1929 reply to Zhou Enlai.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 1930David Apter and Tony Saich, Revolutionary Discourse in Mao’s RepublicTony Saich, The Rise to Power of the Chinese Communist PartyMichael Heinrich, Karl Marx and the Birth of Modern Society: The Life of Marx and the Development of His WorkSome names from this episode:Zhou Enlai, head of the Organization Department of the Central CommitteeXiang Zhongfa, General secretary of the CPGuo Fengming, bandit turned Guomindang local despot in ChangtingLiu Shiyi, Guomindang commanderYe Ting, Communist military leaderHe Long, Communist military leaderSupport the show

A close look at Zhou Enlai’s February 7, 1929, letter to Mao Zedong and Zhu De.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 1930E. H. Carr, Foundations of a Planned Economy, vol. 3Tony Saich, The Rise to Power of the Chinese Communist PartySome names from this episode:Zhou Enlai, head of the Organization Department of the Central CommitteeXiang Zhongfa, General secretary of the CPLi Lisan, Leading CommunistSupport the show

Mao plans to expand guerrilla warfare, and meets up with Peng Dehuai in Ruijin.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 1930Stephen Averill, Revolution in the Highlands: China’s Jinggangshan Base AreaPeng Dehuai, Memoirs of a Chinese MarshallSome names from this episode:Yuan Wencai, Bandit leader who joined with Mao ZedongWang Zuo, Bandit leader who joined with Mao ZedongHe Changgong, secretary of the Ninggang County Party following the departure of the Fourth Red ArmyLong Chaoqing, former secretary of the Ninggang County Committee of the Communist PartyPeng Dehuai, leader of the Fifth Red ArmyLi Wenlin, Communist guerrilla commanderDuan Yuequan, Communist guerrilla commanderLiu Shiyi, Guomindang commanderXiao Jiabi, reactionary militia leaderSupport the show

Some reflections on the experience of Shanghai capitalists after 1949 prompted by the ‘Notice to Merchants and Intellectuals’ that Mao issued after taking Changting in 1929.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 1930Yao Wenyuan, “On the Social Basis of the Lin Piao Anti-Party Clique” (for heavenly horses reference)David Apter and Tony Saich, Revolutionary Discourse in Mao’s RepublicLynn White, Policies of Chaos: The Organizational Causes of Violence in China’s Cultural RevolutionDavid Barbosa, “Rong Yiren, a Chinese Billionaire, Dies at 89”Some names from this episode:Wu Zhongyi, Shanghai capitalistRong Yiren, Shanghai capitalistSupport the show

Looking at what Mao and Zhu De did to install a new Communist order after conquering Changting.Further reading:Pang Xianzhi and Jin Chongji, Mao Zedong: A Biography, vol. 1: 1893-1949Agnes Smedley, The Great Road: The Life and Times of Chu Teh [Zhu De]Stuart 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 New Democracy”Some names from this episode:Guo Fengming, bandit turned Guomindang local despot in ChangtingFeng Yuxiang, warlord close to both the USA and the Soviet UnionWang Jingwei, leader of the Guomindang leftDai Jitao, Guomindang ideologueYan Xishan, warlord accused by Mao of being a running dog for the Japanese imperialistsSupport the show