People's History of Ideas Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Mao’s 14 June 1929 Letter to Lin Biao Nov 30, 2024

Show notes

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: 1893-1949
Stuart Schram, ed., Mao’s Road to Power, vol. 3: From the Jinggangshan to the Establishment of the Jiangxi Soviets, July 1927-December 1930
Agnes 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 Army
Yang Sen, Sichuan warlord
Zhu Yunqing, chief political advisor to the Fourth Red Army
Episode artwork: photo of Zhu Yunqing

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The Line Struggle Between Mao Zedong and Zhu De (May to June 1929) Nov 23, 2024

Show notes

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: 1893-1949
Stuart Schram, ed., Mao’s Road to Power, vol. 3: From the Jinggangshan to the Establishment of the Jiangxi Soviets, July 1927-December 1930
Joseph Fewsmith, Forging Leninism in China: Mao and the Remaking of the Chinese Communist Party, 1927–1934
Mao Zedong nianpu, 1893-1937 (毛泽东年谱)

Some names from this episode:
Zhou Enlai, head of the Organization Department of the Central Committee
Liu Angong, special envoy sent by Party Center to the Fourth Red Army
Lin Biao, commander of the first column of the Fourth Red Army
Peng Dehuai, commander of the Fifth Red Army

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The Red Army Victorious: The Conquest of Several Counties in Jiangxi and Fujian in the Spring of 1929 Jun 25, 2024

Show notes

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: 1893-1949
Stuart Schram, ed., Mao’s Road to Power, vol. 3: From the Jinggangshan to the Establishment of the Jiangxi Soviets, July 1927-December 1930
Peng Dehuai, Memoirs of a Chinese Marshall
Agnes 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, 1927–1934
Mao Zedong nianpu, 1893-1937 (毛泽东年谱)
Some names from this episode:
Zhou Enlai, head of the Organization Department of the Central Committee
Peng Dehuai, leader of the Fifth Red Army

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Mao Tells Zhou Enlai about Guerrilla Warfare Apr 30, 2024

Show notes

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 Jinggangshan to the Establishment of the Jiangxi Soviets, July 1927-December 1930
David Apter and Tony Saich, Revolutionary Discourse in Mao’s Republic
Tony Saich, The Rise to Power of the Chinese Communist Party
Michael Heinrich, Karl Marx and the Birth of Modern Society: The Life of Marx and the Development of His Work
Some names from this episode:
Zhou Enlai, head of the Organization Department of the Central Committee
Xiang Zhongfa, General secretary of the CP
Guo Fengming, bandit turned Guomindang local despot in Changting
Liu Shiyi, Guomindang commander
Ye Ting, Communist military leader
He Long, Communist military leader

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The Party Center Attempts to Assert Control over the Red Army and Orders Mao and Zhu to Report to Shanghai Apr 03, 2024

Show notes

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 Road to Power, vol. 3: From the Jinggangshan to the Establishment of the Jiangxi Soviets, July 1927-December 1930
E. H. Carr, Foundations of a Planned Economy, vol. 3
Tony Saich, The Rise to Power of the Chinese Communist Party
Some names from this episode:
Zhou Enlai, head of the Organization Department of the Central Committee
Xiang Zhongfa, General secretary of the CP
Li Lisan, Leading Communist

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Mao’s March 20 Letter to the Central Committee, and the 5th Red Army’s Retreat from the Jinggangshan (January to April 1929) Mar 10, 2024

Show notes

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: 1893-1949
Stuart Schram, ed., Mao’s Road to Power, vol. 3: From the Jinggangshan to the Establishment of the Jiangxi Soviets, July 1927-December 1930
Stephen Averill, Revolution in the Highlands: China’s Jinggangshan Base Area
Peng Dehuai, Memoirs of a Chinese Marshall
Some names from this episode:
Yuan Wencai, Bandit leader who joined with Mao Zedong
Wang Zuo, Bandit leader who joined with Mao Zedong
He Changgong, secretary of the Ninggang County Party following the departure of the Fourth Red Army
Long Chaoqing, former secretary of the Ninggang County Committee of the Communist Party
Peng Dehuai, leader of the Fifth Red Army
Li Wenlin, Communist guerrilla commander
Duan Yuequan, Communist guerrilla commander
Liu Shiyi, Guomindang commander
Xiao Jiabi, reactionary militia leader

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On the Experience of the National Bourgeoisie in the New Democratic Revolution Feb 04, 2024

Show notes

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 1930
Yao 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 Republic
Lynn White, Policies of Chaos: The Organizational Causes of Violence in China’s Cultural Revolution
David Barbosa, “Rong Yiren, a Chinese Billionaire, Dies at 89”
Some names from this episode:
Wu Zhongyi, Shanghai capitalist
Rong Yiren, Shanghai capitalist

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A New Communist Order in Changting (March 1929) Jan 13, 2024

Show notes

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: 1893-1949
Agnes 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 1930
Mao Zedong, “On New Democracy”
Some names from this episode:
Guo Fengming, bandit turned Guomindang local despot in Changting
Feng Yuxiang, warlord close to both the USA and the Soviet Union
Wang Jingwei, leader of the Guomindang left
Dai Jitao, Guomindang ideologue
Yan Xishan, warlord accused by Mao of being a running dog for the Japanese imperialists

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Leaving Donggu, Taking Changting (February to March 1929) Dec 07, 2023

Show notes

How the Fourth Red Army spent their time in Donggu, and how they took the first city in the new base area in the Jiangxi-Fujian border region.
Further reading:
Pang Xianzhi and Jin Chongji, Mao Zedong: A Biography, vol. 1: 1893-1949
Agnes 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, 1927–1934
Gao Hua, How the Red Sun Rose: The Origins and Development of the Yan’an Rectification Movement, 1930-1945
Stephen Averill, “The Origins of the Futian Incident”
Some names from this episode:
Xiao Ke, an officer in the Fourth Red Army
Peng Pai, Communist peasant organizer
Long Chaoqing, important early Communist in Jinggangshan area
Peng Dehuai, Leader of the 5th Red Army
Guo Fengming, Bandit turned Guomindang local despot in Changting

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From Dabodi to Donggu: The Retreat from the Jinggangshan Continues (February 1929) Oct 19, 2023

Show notes

The Mao-Zhu Army raises funds in Ningdu and moves on to the Donggu base area for rest and recovery. Background on Donggu.
Link to map of Jiangxi province: https://www.chinamaps.org/china/provincemaps/jiangxi-province-map.html
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 1930
Pang Xianzhi and Jin Chongji, Mao Zedong: A Biography, vol. 1: 1893-1949
Agnes 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, 1927–1934
Some names from this episode:
Wang Chuxi, big landlord in Donggu area who lived in Futian
Ye Jianying, Communist who led division of the National Revolutionary Army which took Ji’an during the Northern Expedition
Duan Qifeng, Donggu bandit chief who joined with Communists
Wang Zuo, Bandit leader who joined with Mao Zedong
Lai Jingbang, first leader of the Donggu communists
Wang Liangzhao, younger brother to Wang Chuxi