The origins of the Communist Party of China (CPC) can be traced back to the social and political upheaval in China during the early 20th century. The party was officially founded on July 23, 1921, in Shanghai by Chen Duxiu and Li Dazhao, among others, influenced by the Marxist ideology and the success of the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia in 1917.
Key Factors Leading to the Founding of the CPC:
- Intellectual Awakening and Reform Movements: The late 19th and early 20th centuries were a period of significant intellectual ferment in China. The defeat in the First Sino-Japanese War (1894-1895) and the Boxer Rebellion exposed the weaknesses of the Qing dynasty and sparked movements aiming to reform and modernize China, such as the Hundred Days’ Reform and the later May Fourth Movement in 1919. These movements emphasized science, democracy, and particularly after the May Fourth Movement, socialism, and Marxist ideas.
- Influence of the Russian Revolution: The success of the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917 inspired many Chinese intellectuals and activists who were disillusioned with traditional Confucian values and were seeking radical solutions to China’s problems. Marxism provided a framework to address the issues of imperialist domination and internal strife.
- Formation and Early Years: The early meetings of what would become the Communist Party of China were held in secrecy and were attended by representatives influenced by both international Communist elements (notably agents of the Comintern, an international organization that advocated world communism) and native Chinese radicals. The founders of the CPC were primarily intellectuals and included a significant number of students who had returned from studies abroad, bringing with them new ideas about Marxism and socialism.
- Alliance with the Kuomintang (KMT): In its early years, the CPC formed a strategic alliance with the Kuomintang, a nationalist and revolutionary party led by Sun Yat-sen. This alliance was part of a united front supported by the Comintern to fight against warlords and imperialist powers in China. However, the alliance was fraught with ideological differences and struggles for power.
- Break and Civil War: The alliance between the KMT and the CPC broke down by 1927, under the leadership of Chiang Kai-shek, who turned against the Communists, leading to a purge known as the Shanghai Massacre. This event marked the beginning of a long civil war between the Communists and the Nationalists, interspersed with periods of cooperation against common foes such as the Japanese invasion during World War II.
The CPC’s understanding of Marxism was adapted to the Chinese context, focusing on the rural peasantry rather than the urban proletariat as the main force of revolution, which was a significant adaptation by leaders like Mao Zedong. This strategy eventually helped Mao consolidate power in the rural areas, leading to the success of the Communist Revolution in 1949.
