A Comprehensive History of China's New Democratic Revolution. Volume 1, The Great Beginning: 1919-1923

Author: Li Xin, Li Shu, Liao Gailong
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2001-04-01
Features: On August 15, 1978, Hu Qiaojiu, then President of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, commissioned Li Xin, Li Shu, and Liao Gailong to organize the compilation of the History of the Chinese Revolution, the History of the People's Republic of China, and the Biography of Mao Zedong. Hu Qiaojiu hoped to expedite the compilation process as much as possible so that these three books could be made available to readers as soon as possible. Later, the History of the People's Republic of China group disbanded due to various restrictions, and the Mao Zedong Biography group was moved to the Documentation and Research Center of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. Only the History of the Chinese Revolution was continued under the leadership of Li Xin by the Modern History Research Office of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (later merged into the Institute of Modern History). In China, it is highly necessary and useful to write a multi-volume history of the New Democratic Revolution of China. However, the challenges are significant. First, the archives are incomplete and strictly sealed; second, there are few firsthand accounts and memoirs, especially from revolutionary leaders, who rarely published systematic articles or works of this nature. The New Democratic Revolution of China lasted for 30 years, with fervent revolutionary struggles and countless heroic deeds that are too numerous to be fully documented. To write a comprehensive and detailed account would require countless volumes! After extensive discussions and research, we decided to compile the History of the New Democratic Revolution of China into a 12-volume work with approximately 6 million words. When writing history, the materials must be abundant and accurate. If the materials are insufficient or the issues are unclear, it is better to postpone writing. Therefore, each volume focuses on fewer but more concentrated issues, yet each issue is elaborated on as thoroughly as possible. To this end, it is necessary to include some important original materials. However, the books we compiled are works, not mere collections of materials. We material, even extensively quoting original materials, to clarify the details of historical events. The causes, processes, outcomes, and impacts of events are all presented through the narrative of materials, without speculative or unfounded claims. Even if there are some discussions, they are always based on solid evidence and use historical facts to explain the viewpoints. History and analysis should be combined, with analysis derived from history, rather than the long-standing practice of "using analysis to guide history" or even "replacing history with analysis." Of course, we do not merely arrange historical materials without analysis. As long as it aligns with historical facts and grasps the internal connections of things, reflecting the objective laws of historical development, such analysis is still necessary. However, our analysis is always based on materials and uses historical facts to explain, and it accounts for a very small proportion of the entire book. Thus, our book differs from general historical works and historical chronicles, and can be called a work with characteristics of a chronicle. Therefore, the original name was set as "The Long Chronicle of the New Democratic Revolution of China." During the revision, considering that the book's style and content are essentially based on the annalistic method, which organizes historical events as the core and truthfully records the history from the beginning of the New Democratic Revolution in 1919 to its victory in 1949, it is also a type of general history. Since the Chinese Revolution includes both the Old Democratic Revolution and the New Democratic Revolution, we renamed it "The General History of the Chinese Revolution." To compile a comprehensive and detailed multi-volume work like "The General History of the Chinese Revolution" is not something a few individuals can accomplish alone. Based on our experience in compiling books before, we decided to adopt a collaborative approach. We primarily relied on universities and military academies in Beijing to participate, rather than spreading it nationwide. This was because writing a book requires frequent joint research and discussion, and excessive dispersion makes it difficult to proceed. To facilitate the timely study and discussion of academic issues that arise during the writing process, the chief editors held regular meetings, either weekly or bi-weekly, persistently forming a routine. The participants in writing the book included colleagues from universities such as Renmin University of China, Peking University, Beijing Normal University, Capital Normal University, Tsinghua University, Beijing Medical University, as well as individuals from military academies like the National Defense University of the People's Liberation Army and the Logistics Command Academy, and some individuals from the Research Institute of the Party History of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the Second Historical Archives of China, totaling over 70 people. When we first started writing the book, we compared the 12 volumes to the construction of a 12-story building. Although the internal structures of each floor could differ, the 12 floors should be an integrated whole, with unified design and construction, ensuring that each floor is consistent and meets unified standards. Later, we realized that the book was too large and involved too many participating units and people, making it difficult to achieve excessive uniformity. Moreover, since the volumes could not be written simultaneously, it would take too long and risk being abandoned halfway. Therefore, we changed our approach, comparing the 12 volumes to 12 buildings in a garden, all unified in one landscape. From a global perspective, they are unified, but each building is independent. Like the of courtyards in the Grand View Garden, such as the Red Chamber, the Xianghuang Pavilion, and the Hongwu Pavilion, each is uniquely designed yet interconnected, forming the beautiful and magnificent Grand View Garden. This made it even more splendid and spectacular. The Grand View Garden is a product of the author's imagination in "Dream of the Red Chamber" and has no exact physical counterparts. The Five Dragon Pavilions in Beihai Park, however, serve as a reference. The five pavilions vary in size, are independent when separate, yet together they are appropriately sized, well-proportioned in distance and density, and arranged in a harmonious and artistic manner. To complete such a structure is no easy task, requiring a great architect. To write a large-scale historical work comparable to this is even more challenging, requiring a great pen. We are neither great architects nor great pens, but we use it as a metaphor and set it as our goal. Based on this new concept, we have a rough overall design for the 12 volumes of the book. Each volume is primarily undertaken by one institution, with each volume having its own chief editor. "The General History of the Chinese Revolution" is the history of the Chinese working class, led by its vanguard—the Communist Party of China—with a foundation of the worker-peasant alliance. It is a history of the broadest united front composed of the masses of people from all ethnic groups in China, fighting against imperialism, feudalism, and bureaucratic capitalism. This history is forged from the blood of countless martyrs and revolutionary people, it is arduous and extraordinary, and it is glorious and radiant. It is no exaggeration to say that even with our mediocre historical writing skills, and even if the greatest writer used his magnificent brush, it would be difficult to produce a work as impressive as this history itself. Despite this, we still follow Hu Qiaojiu's advice and strive to record the basic facts of this history truthfully. With the joint efforts of the chief editors of each volume and all the compilers, after years of painstaking work, the book was finally published in 1996. If we add the two years of revision, the entire process took 20 years. Twenty years is almost half of a scholar's normal career, and for this generation of scholars who experienced the "Four Cleanups" and the Cultural Revolution and wasted over 10 years, these 20 years are almost their entire career. Over these 20 years, scholars from universities, military academies, and research institutions have made significant contributions to this book. Among them, Professor Zhang Guangming endured the severe pain of liver cancer while proofreading the typescript of the volume he edited, "Sparks Ignite the Revolution," but he passed away when he smiled upon seeing the first printed copy of the book. Professor Huang Youlan did not live to see the new edition of the volume he edited, "Striving for Peace and Democracy," published, as he passed away due to overwork. Professor Kuang Shangji, one of the chief editors of "The Fluctuations of the Anti-Japanese Tide," also unfortunately passed away from cancer in 1998. They left us with infinite sorrow and endless remembrance. The publication of this book was not without challenges. The first volume was originally published by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences Press, but subsequent volumes were temporarily halted due to a lack of publishing support. In 1990, Shanghai People's Publishing House allocated funds from the academic works fund to support the compilation, giving the project new life. Professors Hao Shengchao, Zhu Jinyuan, and Lu Zongyin, among others, gave enthusiastic attention and devoted hard work to the publication and editing of this book. We highly evaluate their work and extend our sincere gratitude. This book has received praise from readers and experts for its rich materials, substantial content, solid research, and accurate historical facts. However, due to the varying progress of each volume, it was not published in order, and many readers were unable to purchase the complete set. To meet the needs of readers, the leadership of Shanghai Century Publishing Group and Shanghai People's Publishing House decided to revise and release the 12 volumes of the book in one go, which is undoubtedly a great support for historians. The revision plan was jointly decided by the compilers and authors, and the revision only involves minor changes, such as correcting obvious historical and material errors, and expanding the content of volumes 7, 8, 9, and 10, without fundamental changes to the overall framework or major viewpoints to maintain the original style of the book. We believe that historical development is endless, and historical research is also endless, not remaining at the same level for long. With the emergence of a large number of new historical materials, the promotion of a spirit of seeking truth from facts and exploring innovation, and the renewal of historians' concepts and the improvement of research methods, the study of the Chinese Revolution will achieve breakthroughs and development. Even so, as a large-scale work on modern Chinese history at a certain stage, this book will still serve as a reference and critique for future generations and retain its long-term value. Mao Zedong said that the victory of the Chinese Revolution was just the first step in a long march of a hundred thousand li. How true those words are. Although the book is now completed, our reflections on the Chinese Revolution and the China after the revolution have not stopped here. The Kuomintang and the Communist Party of China were divided in politics and fought for over 20 years. In the final three years (1946–1949) of the civil war, the Kuomintang, relying on its superior military strength, vast territory, and U.S. aid, attempted to eliminate the Communist Party's army in a short time. The Communist Party of China began preparing for a long-term resistance, but the situation developed rapidly, and within just three years, it overthrew the Kuomintang's rule on the mainland. Why so quickly? This was indeed closely related to strategic and tactical commands, but the fundamental factor was the support of the people. The Kuomintang's rule was corrupt and autocratic, alienating the people, especially losing the support of peasants and intellectuals. The Communist Party of China mobilized and relied on the broad masses of workers and peasants, while also gaining the support of people in the occupied areas, democratic parties, and intellectuals, thus achieving the great victory of the New Democratic Revolution. When this book is published and meets the readers, people in China and all over the world will bid farewell to the 20th century and step into the century we long for. Facing the new century, the Chinese people should not only look forward to the dawn of the new century but also have the responsibility to review the history of the 20th century, clarify its gains and losses, and learn from the lessons. Only by seriously summarizing the past can we face the future with clarity. If our book can provide readers with some inspiration and lessons from the perspective of historical review, then that will be enough. Li Xin, Chen Tiejian
December 2000, Beijing
Postscript: The work on this volume began in August 1978. To gain experience and ensure that all volumes of "The General History of the Chinese Revolution" were unified in terms of ideology, structure, style, and writing style, all participants in the multi-volume work were involved in the writing of this volume, whether writing the book or compiling materials, even if it was only a small part of the work. Through the practice of joint collaboration, we summarized practical experience to guide the writing of subsequent volumes. Since many people participated in the writing of this volume, but writing a book did not require so many people, and at the same time, there were many unclear issues in the chapter about the founding of the Communist Party of China that required a lot of material collection, we first assigned people to compile a collection of materials titled "Before the First National Congress." After the publication of "Before the First National Congress," we found many errors and immediately took measures to correct them, and decided to publish a revised edition immediately. After more than a year of material accumulation, in 1980, we began writing this volume separately. In 1981, we printed the preliminary drafts of each chapter and sent them to relevant colleagues for comments. In the autumn of that year, we held a large discussion meeting to discuss the preliminary drafts. After that, we incorporated opinions from all sides and revised the preliminary drafts. By winter, the chief editor focused on revising the draft based on the revised version, and the final draft was completed. This volume is divided into three chapters: The first chapter is the May Fourth Movement, written by Li Yibin of the Modern History Research Office of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and Guan Shouxi of Inner Mongolia University. The second chapter is the founding of the Communist Party of China, written by Shao Weizheng of the Logistics Command Academy of the People's Liberation Army, Zhou Zixin of the National Defense University, Hu Qingyun, Gao Jun of Capital Normal University, Xu Shihua of Northwest Normal University, and Liu Guisheng of Tsinghua University; Qiao Yimin of Sichuan Academy of Fine Arts and Li Liuhua of Capital Normal University also participated in some of the work. The third chapter is the first high tide of the Chinese workers' movement, written by Liu Mingfei of the Modern History Research Office of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, with some participation from Li Yibin and Shao Weizheng. The and revision of the manuscript were carried out by Li Xin, Chen Tiejian, Shao Weizheng, and Li Yibin. The final processing and drafting were done by Li Xin and Chen Tiejian. Based on the content of the three chapters of this volume, we gave it the title "A Great Beginning." Why did we choose this title? Because the New Democratic Revolution of China must meet two main conditions: First, it must be a revolution against imperialism and thus become part of the world revolution of the proletariat, that is, its ally. Second, it must be led by the proletariat. Only under the strong leadership of the proletariat can it achieve victory and possibly develop towards socialism. The May Fourth Movement was a patriotic democratic movement that thoroughly opposed imperialism and feudalism. From then on, the Chinese Revolution had undoubtedly become part of the world revolution of the proletariat. During the May Fourth Movement, the Chinese working class demonstrated its great strength. In 1921, due to the combination of Marxism-Leninism and the Chinese workers' movement, the vanguard of the Chinese proletariat—the Communist Party of China—was born. Later, in 1922–1923, the Chinese workers launched the first high tide of strikes. Therefore, we regard this period of history as the beginning of the New Democratic Revolution of China, and we call the book that records this period "A Great Beginning." This beginning was indeed an extraordinary beginning. Because in modern China, neither the peasant wars nor the old democratic revolution led by the bourgeoisie could achieve victory; only the New Democratic Revolution led by the proletariat could overcome all obstacles and difficulties to achieve the final victory. This truth of history has been proven by historical practice.