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The Chinese Revolution
Encircling the Chinese Soviet Republic
Mao Zedong had been chosen as President of the Chinese Soviet Republic, but he never controlled its Red Army. Wang Ming and the 28 Bolsheviks had more control, including over land policy and preparations to defend against the Fifth Encirclement Campaign.
On land, the Communist Party of China officials didn't want land redistribution to result in a countryside of middle peasants holding private property. With the Land Investigation Movement, they wanted to root out any hidden landlords or rich peasants. But what they didn't change was the limited amount of land to divide among a huge rural population. The result was that basically everyone would farm at the subsistence level.
Chiang Kai-shek was preparing for the Fifth Encirclement Campaign against the Chinese Soviets. This time it would be Seven Parts Political and Three Parts Military. His wife and he advocated for the New Life Movement. The Chinese people should live according to the four virtues.
He also carefully prepared for the military campaign by supervising the construction of roads in Jiangxi and block houses. The Chinese Soviets would be blockaded and logistics and supplies improved.
Otto Braun, Comintern Representative and Communist military strategist, through out the previously successful strategy of Luring the Enemy In Deep and guerrilla warfare and copied the KMT's blockhouse strategy. This time, the Communists would defend the territory of the Chinese Soviet Republic and only commit to Short, Swift Thrusts. Soviet territory was stripped bare to commit the resources for the new blockhouses and supplies for the Red Army defences.
It was a disaster for the Red Army and for the Chinese Soviets. The armies were wiped out by conventional warfare against a numerically and economically superior opponent. Residents, especially "class enemies" began to defect to the KMT. Eventually, even soldiers and Communist officials defected too.
The Fifth Encirclement Campaign was a great success for the Nationalists. The Chinese Soviet Republic was defeated, and this time, the Chinese people supported the KMT. Mao Zedong would blame the defeat on the Communists on Wang Ming and the 28 Bolsheviks. Mao would further rise to power. But first, would come The Long March.
Image: "Map of the Northeast Jiangxi Soviet" by SilverStar54 is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Music by Slipstream
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Update End of April 2023
01:55||Season 1, Ep. 0Recorded at the end of April, 2023, this recording summarizes the episodes to date and what to expect in the coming episodes as we transition from the Qing Dynasty to the Republic of China.Image: "File:Consorts of Tongzhi and Guangxu.jpg" by Anonymous Court Photographer is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
1. Episode 1 - Introduction
01:04||Season 1, Ep. 1Welcome to the first episode of the Chinese Revolution podcast.This is a podcast series for those who believe that understanding China and its history is important. This show is about the Chinese Revolutions and the events leading up to them.I was inspired by Mike Duncan’s excellent podcast series called Revolutions. A big thank you to him. Mike’s final revolution was the Russian Revolution. Since he did not continue his series, this podcast is meant to follow Revolutions with a detailed look at Chinese history and the Chinese Revolution. The Russian Revolution was of course a major contributor towards the Chinese Revolution…but not a straight line.Thanks for listening.Cover art: "Mao Zedong. 1893-1976" by josephbergen is licensed under CC BY-NC-N For more information, sources and content see: https://chineserevolution.substack.comOr enjoy The Chinese Revolution YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCOjBYMNC_3xjQXKv6ab9YA?sub_confirmation=1
2. Episode 2- The Great Qing
05:06||Season 1, Ep. 2An introduction to the Great Qing State. The Qing replaced the Great Ming and ruled from 1644 until 1911. The vast empire ruled over 400 million subjects under Manchu leadership.When the Qing met the Europeans arriving by sea, they saw no reason to change. But owing to a focus on Confucius and classical education, Qing officials were developing more slowly than the new arrivals. This became clear with the Opium War and the reverberations then spread throughout the Qing territories. When the Qing Dynasty fell, it was not replaced by a new dynasty, but by the Republic of China."Map of Qing dynasty 18c.svg" by Samhanin is marked with CC0 1.0.For more information, sources and content see: https://chineserevolution.substack.comOr enjoy The Chinese Revolution YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCOjBYMNC_3xjQXKv6ab9YA?sub_confirmation=1
3. Episode 3- Silver during the Qing Dynasty
06:31||Season 1, Ep. 3In this introductory episode, the disruption of silver coins to the Qing Dynasty is discussed. The Qing collected taxes in silver but did not control silver supply or minting. As a result, Latin American revolutions impacted silver coins, changed trade flows and created economic disturbances in the Qing Dynasty just before the Opium War.Image: "BOLIVIA, 1855 ---HALF DOLLAR SIZED SILVER COIN,UNSURE OF DENOMINATION b" by woody1778a is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.You can support this show through Buy me a coffee. https://www.buymeacoffee.com/thechineserevolutionFor more information, sources and content see: https://chineserevolution.substack.comOr enjoy The Chinese Revolution YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCOjBYMNC_3xjQXKv6ab9YA?sub_confirmation=1
4. Episode 4- The Examination System
04:21||Season 1, Ep. 4An introductory episode about the Examination System and corruption of officials during the Qing Dynasty. The three sets of examinations required before entry into Chinese government leadership were grueling. Candidates rarely passed the examinations. The Manchu elite benefited from an alternative, easier examination system. Unsuccessful examination candidates often began rebellions. As a result, corruption, patronage and resentment were part of the Qing Empire.Image: "Qing Court Return, The Emperess Dowerger [1902] George E. Morrison [RESTORED]" by ralphrepo is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
5. Episode 5 - Introducing the Opium War
27:52||Season 1, Ep. 5An introduction to the Opium War between Great Britain and the Qing Empire, including introductions of major characters. The Opium War was considered the beginning of China's Century of Humiliations. Lu Kun and William Napier do battle outside Guangzhou. Lin Zexu seizes 20,000 chests of British opium and destroys them. The British seize Hong Kong and Lin then cuts off British food and water. War is coming.Image: "The Opium War Museum Humen Dongguan" by dcmaster is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0.You can support this show through Buy me a coffee. https://www.buymeacoffee.com/thechineserevolutionFor more information, sources and content see: https://chineserevolution.substack.comOr enjoy The Chinese Revolution YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCOjBYMNC_3xjQXKv6ab9YA?sub_confirmation=1
6. Episode 6 - Whales and Crocodiles
26:11||Season 1, Ep. 6Lin Zexu's destruction of British opium causes debate in London. But the Whig government has plenty of other crises. Lord Palmerston makes demands of China and sends warships in spite of reluctance at home. Opposition to a war with China is debated in Parliament.The British use newly seized Hong Kong as a base, battle with the Chinese by Guangzhou and bombard and then make an amphibious assault on Zhoushan Island by Shanghai. The sail as far as Tianjin. The Daoguang Emperor receives Lord Palmerston's letter and replaces Lin Zexu. The British are wined and dined and sail back south to see if Palmerston's demands are met.Here is a map showing highlights from the original Opium War between Great Britain and the Qing Dynasty of China.https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1avTI5eEAq5yBQoW4ZFg7FnUmEM6Og_c&usp=sharingImage: "National Portrait Gallery - Lord Palmerston - Harry Redknapp's Grandad" by Gareth1953 All Right Now is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
7. Episode 7 - Charles Elliott's Opium War
30:27||Season 1, Ep. 7The British capture Chinese forts and take Guangzhou. British trade returns to southern China. Rural peasants self-organize against the British invaders. Charles Elliott is replaced by British authorities in London.Image: "19th Century Cannon" by Gary Lee Todd, Ph.D. is marked with CC0 1.0.You can support this show through Buy me a coffee. https://www.buymeacoffee.com/thechineserevolution
8. Episode 8 - Henry Pottinger and the End of the Opium War
32:49||Season 1, Ep. 8In this episode, Henry Pottinger takes over as British Superintendent of Trade. The British retake Zhoushan Island, which had been abandoned by Charles Elliott and advances up the Yangtze River. Negotiations conclude the Opium War with the Treaty of Nanjing. It is now remembered as the first unequal treaty and the beginning of a century of humiliations for China.Image: Kongma, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia CommonsYou can support this show through Buy me a coffee. https://www.buymeacoffee.com/thechineserevolutionFor more information, sources and content see: https://chineserevolution.substack.comOr enjoy The Chinese Revolution YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCOjBYMNC_3xjQXKv6ab9YA?sub_confirmation=1