The Battle for Shanghang (mid-September 1929)
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 Bie...
21 Joulu 202420min
The Politburo in Shanghai Discusses the Line Struggle in the Red Army and Issues the September Instruction
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: 1893-1...
14 Joulu 202421min
Mao gets Kicked from Party Leadership, and Organizes a Land Reform in Western Fujian
The line struggle continues and does not go Mao’s way. Plus, comments on the historiography. Further reading: Pang Xianzhi and Jin Chongji, Mao Zedong: A Biography, vol. 1: 1893-1949 Stuart Schram, e...
7 Joulu 202424min
Mao’s 14 June 1929 Letter to Lin Biao
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 organizat...
30 Marras 202433min
The Line Struggle Between Mao Zedong and Zhu De (May to June 1929)
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 C...
23 Marras 202436min
The Red Army Victorious: The Conquest of Several Counties in Jiangxi and Fujian in the Spring of 1929
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, ...
26 Kesä 202429min
Mao Tells Zhou Enlai about Guerrilla Warfare
Mao’s April 5, 1929 reply to Zhou Enlai. Further reading: Pang Xianzhi and Jin Chongji, Mao Zedong: A Biography, vol. 1: 1893-1949 Stuart Schram, ed., Mao’s Road to Power, vol. 3: From the Jinggangsh...
1 Touko 202424min
The Party Center Attempts to Assert Control over the Red Army and Orders Mao and Zhu to Report to Shanghai
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: 1893-1949 Stuart Schram, ed., Mao’s Roa...
4 Huhti 202422min
