History involves successive “modes of production”
“Class struggle” propels history
Feudalism
Aristocracy vs. Bourgeoisie
Capitalism
Bourgeoisie vs. Proletariat
Communism
End of social classes
Sharing of "means of production"
What part of the world is the source of this theory of history?
Does it apply to Russia or China in the early 20th century?
Little known in China
Parallels with Chinese experience
Anti-imperialism
Relinquished Russian concessions in Manchuria
*Li Dazhao (1889-1927)
Peking University
Marxist Research Society, 1918
Theoretical contributions
Capitalism
Bourgeoisie vs. Proletariat
Capitalist imperialism vs. “proletarian nations”
Communism
*Chen Duxiu (1879-1942)
Dean of Peking University, 1917-19
Popularizer
Special Issue of New Youth, 1919
Li Dazhao, “My Marxist Views”
Why should some intellectuals of the May 4th Movement have found Marxism to be appealing?
*Comintern (3rd Communist International)
Formed 1919
Vladimir Lenin (1870-1924)
International strategy
Mao Zedong (1894-1976)
Maring, Comintern agent
CCP Founding Museum, Shanghai
Original Meeting Room on Ground Floor (Spence claims the meeting took place on top floor, Search for Modern China, 3rd ed., p. 298)
200 members in 1922
Chen Duxiu, Secretary-general
