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1/21
Today (the 22nd of August) would have been Deng Xiaoping's 116th Birthday. As part of the 1st generation of CPC collective leadership, Deng had a long and tumultuous revolutionary career. Here's a historical thread about him.
Hope it's interesting and useful!
Today (the 22nd of August) would have been Deng Xiaoping's 116th Birthday. As part of the 1st generation of CPC collective leadership, Deng had a long and tumultuous revolutionary career. Here's a historical thread about him.
Hope it's interesting and useful!
2/21
Deng had his first exposure to revolutionary politics in 1920, when he was in France under a study-work program. He worked for several months in a factory while studying western political theories including Marxism and Anarchism.
Deng had his first exposure to revolutionary politics in 1920, when he was in France under a study-work program. He worked for several months in a factory while studying western political theories including Marxism and Anarchism.
3/21
He joined the CPC in 1924, three years after its founding. In 1926, he travelled to the Soviet Union to study and receive formal training in Marxist-Leninism. Upon his return to in 1927, the country was embroiled in fighting, with CPC-GMD forces struggling against Warlords.
He joined the CPC in 1924, three years after its founding. In 1926, he travelled to the Soviet Union to study and receive formal training in Marxist-Leninism. Upon his return to in 1927, the country was embroiled in fighting, with CPC-GMD forces struggling against Warlords.
4/21
Jiang Jieshi's split with the CPC in 1927 led to crackdowns on Communists throughout the country. A number of Communists in Shanghai (where Deng was based) were massacred. Despite this, Deng remained behind to organise worker's strikes.
Jiang Jieshi's split with the CPC in 1927 led to crackdowns on Communists throughout the country. A number of Communists in Shanghai (where Deng was based) were massacred. Despite this, Deng remained behind to organise worker's strikes.
5/21
Deng followed the CPC through its campaigns in the South and held administrative posts in the Jiangxi base area. He was a supporter of Mao Zedong's criticism of Left Deviationism in the Central Committee, and was purged.
Deng followed the CPC through its campaigns in the South and held administrative posts in the Jiangxi base area. He was a supporter of Mao Zedong's criticism of Left Deviationism in the Central Committee, and was purged.
6/21
On the Long March to the Shaanxi base area, Deng remained loyal to the party and served as a Political Commissar. He became one of the foremost leaders of the CPC and a respected revolutionary.
On the Long March to the Shaanxi base area, Deng remained loyal to the party and served as a Political Commissar. He became one of the foremost leaders of the CPC and a respected revolutionary.
7/21
During the War of Resistance against Japan, Deng led at the frontline, serving in a division of Zhu De's 8th Route Army. Deng was responsible for much of the 8RA's political literature and education.
During the War of Resistance against Japan, Deng led at the frontline, serving in a division of Zhu De's 8th Route Army. Deng was responsible for much of the 8RA's political literature and education.
8/21
After the defeat of Japan and the subsequent Liberation War, Deng first worked as Mayor of Chongqing throughout the readjustment period of 1949-52. This was a vital task given the state of destruction caused by more than a decade of war.
After the defeat of Japan and the subsequent Liberation War, Deng first worked as Mayor of Chongqing throughout the readjustment period of 1949-52. This was a vital task given the state of destruction caused by more than a decade of war.
9/12
From 1952 onwards, Deng worked in various posts as part of the Central Government. He was a critic of the Great Leap Forward policy, believing in an economic policy in line with the level of productive forces. This was opposed to socialist construction in 'leaps'
From 1952 onwards, Deng worked in various posts as part of the Central Government. He was a critic of the Great Leap Forward policy, believing in an economic policy in line with the level of productive forces. This was opposed to socialist construction in 'leaps'
10/21
Deng's theoretical line always stressed integrating Marxism-Leninism Mao Zedong Thought with concrete conditions on the ground; not being detached by only issuing mandates from above.
Deng's theoretical line always stressed integrating Marxism-Leninism Mao Zedong Thought with concrete conditions on the ground; not being detached by only issuing mandates from above.
11/21
During the Cultural Revolution starting in 1962, Deng was denounced as a 'bourgeois rightist' for opposing the excesses of the Gang of Four. He was purged in 1969, working as a welder in a factory. His son was also subject to an attempted assassination, and was paralysed
During the Cultural Revolution starting in 1962, Deng was denounced as a 'bourgeois rightist' for opposing the excesses of the Gang of Four. He was purged in 1969, working as a welder in a factory. His son was also subject to an attempted assassination, and was paralysed
12/21
Deng was rehabilitated by Mao in 1974, and he worked ministerial posts. However the death of Mao in September 1976 led to the Counterrevolutionary Clique of Jiang, Zhang, Wang and Yao taking over. He was again criticised and purged.
Deng was rehabilitated by Mao in 1974, and he worked ministerial posts. However the death of Mao in September 1976 led to the Counterrevolutionary Clique of Jiang, Zhang, Wang and Yao taking over. He was again criticised and purged.
13/21
By October 1976, Deng allied with Hua Guofeng and a number of dissatisfied members of the PLA/CPC to arrest the Gang of Four and correct their left deviations. Through this, Deng effectively became the paramount leader, removing Hua in 1980.
By October 1976, Deng allied with Hua Guofeng and a number of dissatisfied members of the PLA/CPC to arrest the Gang of Four and correct their left deviations. Through this, Deng effectively became the paramount leader, removing Hua in 1980.
14/21
A new approach to socialist construction was taken. Deng recognised the underdevelopment of productive forces in China, as well as the economic issues of premature socialisation/communisation of the economy. To rectify these issues, Deng introduced Reform and Opening Up.
A new approach to socialist construction was taken. Deng recognised the underdevelopment of productive forces in China, as well as the economic issues of premature socialisation/communisation of the economy. To rectify these issues, Deng introduced Reform and Opening Up.
15/21
Reform meant allowing limited private enterprise to exist especially in rural regions where low levels of development meant socialisation often failed to meet set goals and stifled the handicrafts economy. The planned economy was never de-emphasised as the mainstay.
Reform meant allowing limited private enterprise to exist especially in rural regions where low levels of development meant socialisation often failed to meet set goals and stifled the handicrafts economy. The planned economy was never de-emphasised as the mainstay.
16/21
Opening up meant allowing foreign companies to have restricted operation in exchange for new productive methods and technology. This allowed for the rapid development of cities such as Shenzhen, which became testbeds of home-grown innovation.
Opening up meant allowing foreign companies to have restricted operation in exchange for new productive methods and technology. This allowed for the rapid development of cities such as Shenzhen, which became testbeds of home-grown innovation.
17/21
This was combined with a renewed focus on fighting poverty with reforms allowing for a greater collective prosperity.
In 1978, approx. 97.5% of the population, almost 800 million were in poverty. Poverty was rapidly alleviated due to the efforts of the CPC under Deng.
This was combined with a renewed focus on fighting poverty with reforms allowing for a greater collective prosperity.
In 1978, approx. 97.5% of the population, almost 800 million were in poverty. Poverty was rapidly alleviated due to the efforts of the CPC under Deng.
18/21
It is important to note that Deng never did to Mao what Khrushchev did to Stalin. He was expressly clear that despite his later mistakes Mao Zedong Thought forms the bedrock of the CPC's ideology and cannot be discarded.
It is important to note that Deng never did to Mao what Khrushchev did to Stalin. He was expressly clear that despite his later mistakes Mao Zedong Thought forms the bedrock of the CPC's ideology and cannot be discarded.
19/21
For many, Deng Xiaoping is a controversial figure. His legacy is hotly debated throughout the Chinese and Western left. However what is undeniable is the success of poverty alleviation and Deng's major role in shaping China today.
For many, Deng Xiaoping is a controversial figure. His legacy is hotly debated throughout the Chinese and Western left. However what is undeniable is the success of poverty alleviation and Deng's major role in shaping China today.
20/21
Those who cry out 'revisionist' before proper consideration often find their criticisms rooted more in dogmatism than actual Marxism. There are principled criticisms, but it is important to reflect on Deng's reforms through a strictly historical materialist perspective.
Those who cry out 'revisionist' before proper consideration often find their criticisms rooted more in dogmatism than actual Marxism. There are principled criticisms, but it is important to reflect on Deng's reforms through a strictly historical materialist perspective.
21/21
Going to link my previous resources with some additions:
https://cpcchina.chinadaily.com.cn/2010-09/14/content_14470693_6.htm
https://www.marxists.org/subject/china/peking-review/1985/PR1985-16S.pdf https://twitter.com/_tanwho_/status/1256318355151228928?s=20
Going to link my previous resources with some additions:
https://cpcchina.chinadaily.com.cn/2010-09/14/content_14470693_6.htm
https://www.marxists.org/subject/china/peking-review/1985/PR1985-16S.pdf https://twitter.com/_tanwho_/status/1256318355151228928?s=20
