2. The Chinese Communist Party

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  • Created by: jxssrules
  • Created on: 16-05-18 09:07

Early stages of Mao's leadership of CCP

1936: dominant figure in CCP, but position not unchallenged. 

Humble beginnings:

  • 1921: Founding member of CCP
  • 1924: head of the Peasants Training Institute; helped improve literacy & organise Peasant Associations to challenge power of landlords
  • Developed his own Chinese version of Marxist theory: revolutionary potential of peasants
  • Elected Chairman of the Politburo of the Soviet Republic
  • 1934-35: Leadership of Long March  to Yan'an; rivalries and tensions within CCP not resolved; raised his standing within the CCP

Power struggles summarised:

  • Political struggle: Cominterners vs. Independents
  • Ideological struggle (closely linked to above): Orthodox Marxists (Twenty-Eight Bolsheviks) vs. Adapters
  • Events favoured Mao: had no choice but to gather support in rural areas

...

Consolidation of Mao's leadership of CCP

End of WW2: position as leader of CCP fully consolidated; removed all those who challenged his dominance.

Consolidation

  • 1936: Chairman of the CCP's Military Council & Chairman of the Politburo
  • Built important alliances with other leading Communists: Zhou Enlai; now well-placed
  • 1938, Position strengthened: Zhang Guotao (one of main rivals) defected tp GMD
  • 1941: Wang Ming outvoted in important Politburo meeting
  • 1942 Yan'an Rectification Campaign: Mao launched a purge of remaining critics & doubters within Party; 'struggle meetings', torture & beatings by secret police led by Kang Sheng (Mao's ally)
  • 1943 campaign finished: Mao Zedong Thought was official ideology of CCP
  • 1945: this position formalised when a new Party constitution enshrined it as the guide to the entire work of the Party

Personality cult: Propaganda…

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