Back to the Labor Front!: The Japanese Mills Strike of 1925
The Communist Party tries to figure out how to put the workers in the lead of the nationalist revolution, and has some initial success. Further Reading: Steve Smith, A Road Is Made: Communism in Shan...
18 Juni 202020min
The Proletarian Nation vs. The Theory of the Productive Forces
The thinking of Chinese Communism’s two founders, Li Dazhao and Chen Duxiu, diverges as revolutionary experience is gained. Further Reading: Maurice Meisner, Li Ta-Chao and the Origins of Chinese Mar...
11 Juni 202027min
Friends Close, Enemies Closer: The United Front in Action
As both the Guomindang and the Communist Party benefit from their collaboration, tensions build. Further reading: Tony Saich, The Origins of the First United Front in China Steve Smith, A Road Is Mad...
4 Juni 202023min
The Road Is Tortuous: The Chinese Revolution and the End of the Global Sixties
A podcast version of a recently published article which argues that the rightward turn of Chinese politics in the 1970s was a key contributing factor in ending the revolutionary era of the long and gl...
28 Maj 202042min
The Loneliest United Front: The Chinese Communist Party in 1923
The Communist Party of China tries to find a way to implement the united front with the Guomindang in 1923, but ultimately has to wait for the Soviet-Guomindang alliance to mature. Further reading: T...
21 Maj 202022min
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 Perry, Shanghai on Strike Tony Saich, The Origins of...
14 Maj 202025min
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 Saich, The Origins of the First United Front in China Some names from ...
7 Maj 202024min
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 Chinese Communism Some names from this episode: Chen Du...
30 Apr 202022min
