Episode 40 - The Founding of the Communist Party of China

The Chinese Revolution

Students were the first Chinese to pay attention to the Russian Revolution and the new Communist government there. The Communist International (or Comintern) founded in 1919, also actively promoted and sponsored revolution abroad. Gregory Voitinsky arrived in 1920 as part of the Soviet efforts in China.

Chinese students in France (like Zhou Enlai) and professors at Peking University were quick to promote socialist and Marxist ideas and to form societies and launch publications. They were encouraged by Cai Yuanpei, the Republic of China's first Minister of Education who was then Rector of Peking University. In particular, Chen Duxiu and Li Dazhao were two intellectuals very active in the lead up to the First Congress of the Communist Party of China. Each was elected at that important first meeting. Chen became the party's first Secretary-General and Li became responsible for propaganda. A Dutch communist, Henk Sneevliet, was present on behalf of the Comintern. A 28 year old Mao Zedong was also there before returning to Hunan province.

Image: "中共一大會會址" by billibala is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

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