In this podcast, Matthew Rothwell, author of Transpacific Revolutionaries: The Chinese Revolution in Latin America, explores the global history of ideas related to rebellion and revolution. The main focus of this podcast for the near future will be on the history of the Chinese Revolution, going all the way back to its roots in the initial Chinese reactions to British imperialism during the Opium War of 1839-1842, and then following the development of the revolution and many of the ideas that were products of the revolution through to their transnational diffusion in the late 20th century.
https://peopleshistoryofideas.com/
Gesamtlänge aller Episoden: 2 days 4 hours
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episode 11: The 1911 Revolution
The overthrow of the Qing Dynasty, followed by the first years of the Republic of China. Further reading on the 1911 Revolution:Joseph Esherick and C.X. George Wei, editors, China: How the Empire FellSome names from this episode:Mao Zedong, leader of the Chinese Revolution and revolutionary communist par excellenceSun Zhongshan/Sun Yat-sen, leader of the Revolutionary AllianceHuang Xing, Vice-President of the Revolutionary Alliance and military leader of the April 1911 uprising in Guangz...
episode 12: The Young Mao Zedong
In this episode we look at Mao Zedong’s childhood, family background, and see what he was thinking in 1912. Further reading:Edgar Snow, Red Star Over ChinaStuart Schram, ed., Mao’s Road to Power, vol. 1: The Pre-Marxist Period, 1912-1920Lee Feigon, Mao: A ReinterpretationJonathan Spence, Mao Zedong: A Life Some names from this episode:Ba Jin, anarchist novelist who wrote The FamilyShang Yang, founder of the Legalist schoolSima Qian, author of Records of the Grand Historian ...
episode 13: Liberals Becoming Marxists: The New Culture and May 4th Movements (1915-1919)
In this episode we explore the move from liberalism toward Marxism among progressive intellectuals in the 1915-1919 period, and how those ideas began to be brought to the working class in China’s cities. This includes the New Culture Movement, the May 4th Movement, and the June 5th Movement.Further reading:Maurice Meisner, Li Ta-Chao and the Origins of Chinese MarxismArif Dirlik, The Origins of Chinese Communism Some names from this episode:Yuan Shikai, leader of the Beiyang Army and dic...
episode 14: Mao's Anarchist Years (The Young Mao Zedong Part Two)
In this episode we continue our examination of Mao Zedong’s ideological development by discussing his anarchist period. Further reading:Stuart Schram, ed., Mao’s Road to Power, vol. 1: The Pre-Marxist Period, 1912-1920 is the indispensable source here. Some names from this episode:Li Dazhao, leading proponent of learning from the Russian RevolutionHu Shi, student of John Dewey and advocate for pragmatismChen Duxiu, editor of New Youth and leading New Culture intellectual Suppor...
episode 15: The Communist International
Explaining how the strategic thinking of the Communist International developed, as background to the key role the ComIntern played in facilitating the founding of the Chinese Communist Party.Support the Show.
episode 16: From Russia with Organizational Expertise: The Comintern Comes to China
Gregory Voitinsky comes to China and helps get the ball rolling to found the Communist Party. Also, a few words on commodity fetishism as the keystone of Marx's Capital and how this leads to Lenin's innovations in conceptualizing communist party formations...
episode 17: 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 CommunismSome names from this episode:Chen Duxiu, editor of New Youth and leader of Shanghai Communist nucleusGregory Voitinsky, Leader of Comintern delegation to China in 1920Karl Kautsky, Second International theorist of economic determinist MarxismLi Dazhao, Beijing-based revolutionary Marxist leaderZhang Dongsun, Exponent of a non-revolution...
episode 18: 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 ChinaSome names from this episode:Chen Gongbo, Founding Chinese Communist who studied at Columbia and later joined the Japanese puppet regimeHenk Sneevliet, alias Maring, Dutch Communist and Comintern leader in China beginning in 1921Sun Zhongshan/Sun Yat-sen, leader of the GuomindangGeorgii Chicherin, People’s Com...
episode 19: 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 StrikeTony Saich, The Origins of the First United Front in ChinaSteve Smith, A Road Is Made: Communism in Shanghai 1920-1927 Some names from this episode:Henk Sneevliet, alias Maring, Dutch Communist and Comintern leader in China beginning in 1921Zhang Guotao, emerged from founding congress as an important Communist leaderSun ...
episode 20: 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:Tony Saich, The Origins of the First United Front in ChinaStuart Schram, ed., Mao’s Road to Power, vol. 2Some names from this episode: Sun Zhongshan/Sun Yatsen, leader of the GuomindangWang Jingwei, leader of Guomindang left-wing, later president of Japanese puppet state in ChinaCao Kun, northern war...