2. The Chinese Communist Party

Early stages of Mao's leadership of CCP

1936: dominant figure in CCP, but position not unchallenged. 

Humble beginnings:

• 1921: Founding member of CCP
• 1924: head of the Peasants Training Institute; helped improve literacy & organise Peasant Associations to challenge power of landlords
• Developed his own Chinese version of Marxist theory: revolutionary potential of peasants
• Elected Chairman of the Politburo of the Soviet Republic
• 1934-35: Leadership of Long March  to Yan'an; rivalries and tensions within CCP not resolved; raised his standing within the CCP

Power struggles summarised:

• Political struggle: Cominterners vs. Independents
• Ideological struggle (closely linked to above): Orthodox Marxists (Twenty-Eight Bolsheviks) vs. Adapters
• Events favoured Mao: had no choice but to gather support in rural areas

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Consolidation of Mao's leadership of CCP

End of WW2: position as leader of CCP fully consolidated; removed all those who challenged his dominance.

Consolidation

• 1936: Chairman of the CCP's Military Council & Chairman of the Politburo
• Built important alliances with other leading Communists: Zhou Enlai; now well-placed
• 1938, Position strengthened: Zhang Guotao (one of main rivals) defected tp GMD
• 1941: Wang Ming outvoted in important Politburo meeting
• 1942 Yan'an Rectification Campaign: Mao launched a purge of remaining critics & doubters within Party; 'struggle meetings', torture & beatings by secret police led by Kang Sheng (Mao's ally)
• 1943 campaign finished: Mao Zedong Thought was official ideology of CCP
• 1945: this position formalised when a new Party constitution enshrined it as the guide to the entire work of the Party

Personality cult: Propaganda…