Mao Zedong and China's Revolutions: A Brief History with Documents (The Bedford Series in History and Culture)

Whether one views Mao Zedong as a hero or a demon, the "Great Helmsman" was undoubtedly a pivotal figure in the history of 20th-century China. The first part of this volume is an introductory essay that traces the history of 20th-century China, from Mao's early career up to the Chinese Communist Party's victory in 1949, through three decades of revolution, to Mao's death I 1976. The second half offers a selection of Mao's writings - including such seminal pieces as "On the New Democracy" and selections from the "Little Red Book" - and writings about Mao and his legacy by both his contemporaries and modern scholars. Also included are headnotes, a chronology, Questions for Consideration, photographs, a selected bibliography, and index. Front Matter....Pages i-xi Introduction: Comrade, Chairman, Helmsman — The Continuous Revolutions of Mao Zedong....Pages 1-36 Front Matter....Pages 37-40 Report on the Peasant Movement in Hunan February 1927....Pages 41-75 On New Democracy January 15, 1940....Pages 76-112 Talks at the Yan’an Conference on Literature and Art 1942....Pages 112-117 Resolution of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party on Methods of Leadership June 1, 1943....Pages 117-123 Snow 1945....Pages 123-124 The Chinese People Have Stood Up September 1949....Pages 125-127 On the Correct Handling of Contradictions among the People June 1957....Pages 127-159 Talks at the Beidaihe Conference August 1958....Pages 160-166 American Imperialism Is Closely Surrounded by the Peoples of the World 1964....Pages 167-168 Cultural Revolution Readings 1960s....Pages 169-179 Front Matter....Pages 181-181 Interview with Mao 1937....Pages 183-192 The Struggle on Two Fronts 1967....Pages 193-197 Mao Zedong’s “Sinification of Marxism” 1985....Pages 197-204 The Emperor of Zhongnanhai 1994....Pages 204-209 At the Center of the Storm 1997....Pages 210-215 Some Questions on Party History June 1981....Pages 216-219 Mao Matters 1996....Pages 219-225 Shades of Mao 1990s....Pages 226-231 Back Matter....Pages 232-259