Socialism in China (1919-1965)

This book integrates the history of China's socialist ideology and socialist movement with the history of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and that of modern China. It attempts to inform the reader with an objective narration of major historical events, a vivid depiction of great personalities, and the concise and insightful comments of the author, Dr. Yu Youjun. Socialism in China (1919-1965) covers the period spanning from the May 4th Movement of 1919 to the eve of the Cultural Revolution in 1965. Providing a broad historical perspective and sharp insights, it describes this period in detail, from the introduction of Marxism to China to the CPC integrating the theory with China's prevailing conditions and enriching it with Chinese characteristics, to the evolution and practice of scientific socialism in China. The Chinese Communists, represented by Mao Zedong, integrated the fundamental tenets of Marxism with China's prevailing conditions and revolutionary practices to create their own New Democracy Theory that included both new democratic revolution and new democratic society and to establish the People's Republic of China. The author's systematic review and thinking of their explorations of a theory and path to build socialism in a country that was semi-colonial and semi-feudal, burdened with a backward economy and culture, and his objective summary of the lessons and experiences from their explorations, all act as a mirror for today's governance and education.

Table of Contents:
Chapter 1 Marxism Introduced to China after the Russian October Revolution Initiated by Li Dazhao and Chen Duxiu, the Communist Party of China Is Founded Chapter 2 Formulation of Ultimate and Interim Party Programs Based on Prevailing Conditions in China Two-step Approach for Party's Strategies Chapter 3 During Chen Jiongming's Mutiny, Sun Yat-sen Escapes Aboard the Yongfeng Sun Decides to Ally with the Soviet Union and the CPC Chapter 4 The United Front Founded, the National Revolution Rolls On Sun Yat-sen Dies but His Legacy Continues Chapter 5 Chiang Kai-shek Launches Attacks on Communists in Shanghai The CPC Realizes that Political Power Grows out of the Barrel of a Gun Chapter 6 To Besiege Cities from the Countryside, the Jinggang Base Is Built A Single Spark Starts a Prairie Fire, the Red Army Is Founded Chapter 7 Fighting Dogmatism, the CPC Finds the Right Path Exploring a New Way to Govern, the People's Republic in Embryo Chapter 8 Wang Ming's Leftist Policy Leads the Revolution Astray Bo Gu's Blind Command Takes the Red Army up a Blind Alley Chapter 9 The Zunyi Meeting Corrects the Direction of the Party The Long March Keeps Alive the Embers of Revolution Chapter I0 Zhang Xueliang and Yang Hucheng Capture Chiang in the Xi'an Incident Zhang Wentian and Mao Zedong Mediate for a United Front between KMT and CPC against Japanese Aggression Chapter 11 A Whole Nation United as One to Resist Japanese Aggression The CPC Wins Wide Respect for Defending National Unity Chapter 12 Mao Zedong Crystallizes His Thoughts on the New-Democracy Theory Shaanxi-Gansu Base Experiments the Model of the People's Republic Chapter 13 Complying with the Historical Trend, the CPC Issues May Day Slogans Joining Hands to Found a Democratic Government, the CPC and the Democratic Parties Formulate the Common Program Chapter 14 New-democratic Blueprint Cures the Wounds of War Land Reform Makes Land-to-the-tiller Dream Come True Chapter 15 China Chooses Alliance with the Soviet Union Implementation of the First Five-Year Plan Leads to Economic and Social Advancement Chapter 16 A Premature Transition to Socialism under the General Line which Replaces the Common Program Too Eager to Complete the Transformation of Agriculture, Handicraft and Industrial and Commercial Industries Chapter 17 Khrushchev Repudiates Personality Cult in His Secret Report Eighth CPC National Congress Explores New Path Based on In-depth Research Chapter 18 The Intra-Party Rectification Movement Turns into the Anti-Rightist Campaign Purge Escalates and Becomes Reckless Chapter 19 Following a Right Track Not for Rash Advance, a Sober Mind Ensures Steady Progress The Feverish Great Leap Forward Ends in Debacle and the Utopia Is But a Dream Chapter 20 Premature People's Communes Waste Money and Manpower, Causing Lasting Calamities Communization Results in Chaos and Disunity, an Expensive Lesson Chapter 21 Overnight Change of Direction at the Lushan Conference, from Correcting Leftist Mistakes to Fighting Rightist Opportunism The Anti-Rightist Storm Surges across the Country, Millions of Innocents Are Wronged Chapter 22 Three-year Great Leap Forward Plunges China into an Abyss Readjustment Policy Helps Rescue the Nation Chapter 23 Guarding against Revisionism, the ""Four Clear-ups"" Movement Aims to Pm'ge ""Dissidents"" within the Party Focusing on the Class Struggle, Mao's New Thought Sets the Tone for the Cultural Revolution Bibliography Afterword