At first, a group of advanced elements in China pinned their hopes for national rejuvenation on learning from the West. First of all, I felt that the country's technology was backward and its weapons and equipment were not as good as those of the west, so I began to "learn from foreigners to control foreigners", set up factories, build railways, build a navy and carry out the Westernization Movement. However, the failure of the Sino-Japanese War of 1894 forced people to find that restructuring was more important than making devices, so they started the reform movement by learning from the western constitutional monarchy, and then there was the reform movement initiated by Kang Youwei and Liang Qichao, which was destroyed by the die-hards only after a hundred days.
Later, he studied the western democratic Republican system, and then the Revolution of 1911 initiated by the revolutionary faction represented by Sun Yat-sen broke out, but he failed to complete the historical task of realizing national independence and people's liberation. It can be seen that before the October Revolution, the advanced elements in China had realized that the old feudal autocracy in China was too old and should be replaced by a new system, trying to take the road of western capitalism to save China, but the reality proved that this road was not feasible in China.
World War I was a melee between developed capitalist countries at that time, which caused more than 30 million casualties and exposed the disadvantages of the capitalist system. In the late World War I, the October Revolution broke out in China, taking a new road that mankind has never taken-the socialist road, which brought hope to the Russian people who were struggling to find the future and outlet of their country and nation.
The October Revolution established a brand-new society completely different from any previous social system, and the establishment of this new society was attributed to the Russian advanced elements organizing a proletarian political party guided by Marxist theory, which gave the revolution a strong leadership core and gathered the broad masses of workers and peasants under the banner of Marxism.
Obviously, without Marxism, there would be no victory of the October Revolution and no success of Russian socialism, which naturally attracted the advanced elements in China.
two
In fact, Marxism was introduced to China before the October Revolution. 1899 From February to April, the abridged translation of Timothy Richard and Cai Erkang's article "Great Classmate" were published in the World Bulletin sponsored by Shanghai Broadcasting Society, and the Chinese translation of "Marx" was mentioned for the first time in China, in which it was said that "Marx was famous as a leader of all kinds of workers and was also an Englishman".
Later, Liang Qichao, a bourgeois reformist, and Zhu Zhixin, a revolutionary, also introduced Marx and his theory sporadically. However, people at that time did not pay special attention to Marxism.
As Comrade Mao Zedong said: The October Revolution brought us Marxism–Leninism with artillery. The October Revolution transformed Marxism from a theoretical assumption into a realistic social system construction, which created a brand-new development path for human society.
Before this, although various theories and theories related to socialism have been introduced into China, they are theoretical or fantastic descriptions of the future society, and cannot be transformed into objective reality without a process.
Different from other socialist schools, Marxism not only has strict theoretical logic and scientific theoretical analysis, but also can guide the transformation of objective reality. The new system established after the October Revolution in Russia became the best example, and the interest of China's advanced elements in Marxism also came into being.
Qu Qiubai once said: "In such a dark and miserable society as China, everyone wants to open up a new path in the present situation of life. Listening to the sound of the disintegration of the old Russian society, it is really empty and can't help but be tempted. Therefore, everyone should discuss and study Russia. " (Collected Works of Qu Qiubai, Literature Compilation, Volume II, People's Literature Publishing House, 1986, p. 248)
China's diplomatic failure at the 19 19 Paris Peace Conference completely disillusioned the people of China with the capitalist system, and the May 4th Movement broke out. In contrast, after the October Revolution, the Soviet Union and Russia issued two declarations on July 25th19 and September 27th 1920, respectively, announcing the abolition of all unequal treaties signed by Tsarist Russia and China and giving up all privileges in China. So more and more advanced elements in China tried to understand the October Revolution, believing that they could find a good way to save the country and the people.
It was during this period that Mao Zedong began to pay attention to Russia. 1920 in March, he wrote to his classmate Zhou Shizhao: "I think Russia is the first civilized country in the world. I think in two or three years, we will organize a team to visit Russia. " (Xinmin Society information, edited by Chinese Revolution Museum and Hunan Provincial Museum, People's Publishing House, 1980, p. 65) In August of the same year, he and He Shuheng also launched the Russian Research Association in Changsha, with the aim of "studying everything about Russia" (ibid., p. 354).
Liu Shaoqi also recalled: "Before * * appeared, Marxism also spread to China. It was the year before 1920 (* * *) that I saw such a booklet. I have heard of socialism and anarchism before, but later I saw the pamphlets of anarchism and Marxism.
In addition, there is one of the biggest things, that is, the victory of the October Revolution in Russia has awakened people all over the world who want the revolution but have not found a way out. Especially in China, we felt the danger of national subjugation and extinction at that time, but we didn't know where to go, so we had a solution. (Zhizhong Gao, editor. Swear to party flag-the experience of the older generation of revolutionaries joining the Party, People's Publishing House, 20 19, p. 8).
After the October Revolution, some Democrats who experienced the Revolution of 1911 also began to perceive the power of Marxist truth and realized that only by taking this road can China have a future.
Lin participated in instigating Hunan's independence during the Revolution of 1911, then participated in the "Second Revolution" and served as the staff officer of Yuezhou (now Yueyang) Fortress Command. After the failure of the "Second Revolution", he was forced to flee to Japan, joined the China Revolutionary Party founded by Sun Yat-sen, returned to China to engage in anti-Yuan activities, and later participated in the war to protect the law against the northern warlords in 19 17, such a pioneer who followed Sun Yat-sen in the democratic revolution.
In his self-report, he said: "During the ten years from the League to the founding of the Republic of China, I personally participated in the revolutionary struggle for national democracy at each stage. Experienced many setbacks and failures, but also shed the blood of countless people with lofty ideals. However, the reactionary forces still rule China one after another, and the political situation is always so far away.
Although I don't fully understand the real reason for this situation, I always feel that I can't repeat the road I have taken in the past, but I should explore a new road from the painful experience. ""In the October Revolution in Russia, I got some new inspirations, knowing that only by overthrowing capitalism can the working people be liberated, and the proletariat is the basic driving force of the revolution, and the liberation of this class is related to the fate of all mankind. " (Lin readme, People, No.2, 1982)
three
After the May 4th Movement, Marxism was widely spread in China, which was naturally inseparable from a group of revolutionary pioneers who spared no effort in propaganda and promotion. 1918165438+In October, Li Dazhao published the victory of Bolshevism in "Victory of the People" and "New Youth", enthusiastically eulogizing the October Revolution.
19 19 published my Marxist view in New Youth in May, systematically introducing Marxist historical materialism, political economy and the basic principles of scientific socialism. Chen Duxiu has also published articles such as Workers' Consciousness, Talking about Politics, Critique of Socialism-Speech at Guangzhou University of Political Science and Law, etc. to promote Marxism and refute utopian socialism and anarchism.
As a document of that year said: "The history of Marxism in China is very short, only about three years. However, on the one hand, due to the oppression of international capitalism and the influence of the Russian proletarian revolution, on the other hand, due to the efforts of pioneers, Marxism can be developed in the shortest time, and more and more people believe in Marxism. " (the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China Literature Research Office, Central Archives: Selected Works of Important Documents Since the Founding of the Party (1 921-1949), vol.1,Central Literature Publishing House, 201version, the 70th edition.
1920 in March, after consulting with Deng Zhongxia, Li Dazhao organized a seminar on Marxist theory in Peking University. This was the earliest group in China to study and study Marxism, and it was also Li Dazhao's first attempt to unite "people who are interested in and willing to study Marxist theory".
In the same year, on165438+1October 17, the society published a notice in the Journal of Peking University, saying, "This society is called the Marxist Theory Society, and its purpose is to study works about the Marxist school." (The Complete Works of Deng Zhongxia cited above, People's Publishing House, 20 14, p. 16 1 page) The names of 19 promoters were also announced in the notice. Nineteen sponsors, and almost all of them became members of * * *.
1920 in may, Chen Duxiu initiated the organization of Marxist research society to discuss the socialist theory and social transformation in China. In August, based on this seminar, the early organization of Shanghai * * * was formally established. On June+10, 5438, Li Dazhao and Deng Zhongxia established the "* * * Branch" in Beijing.
Subsequently, students from Dong, Chen Tanqiu and Bao Hui in Wuhan, students from Changsha, He Shuheng, Jinan, Tan Pingshan, Tan, Chen Gongbo, and overseas Chinese in Guangzhou set up early * * *. The seeds of Marxism began to bloom brilliantly in the ancient land of China.
After the First World War, influenced by the October Revolution, many countries established * * *, and capitalist countries such as Germany and Hungary also had proletarian revolutions and established Soviet regimes. But in the end, Marxism did not become the mainstream of these countries, but spread widely in China, far from its birthplace, and really took root and blossomed. This is closely related to China's special cultural tradition besides Marxism itself.
Ai Siqi once made an incisive exposition on this point: "The Chinese nation and its excellent tradition have long had the seeds of Marxism. Marxism is scientific communism, and the communist society was once the common ideal of all the great thinkers in the history of China. From Laozi, Mozi, Confucius, Mencius and even Dr. Sun Yat-sen, they all hope that there will be a "world for all" Datong society in the world.
China's Marxism was nourished by Marx's scientific communism theory and grew up from China's own communism seeds. (Ai Siqi: the significance of the May 4th Cultural Movement today, Xinhua News, No.26,16th edition, April 28th, 939).
Although Marxism originated in the West, it belongs not only to the West, but to all mankind. After contacting and understanding Marxism and socialism, many China people not only feel strange, but also feel deja vu, and even feel at home, thus activating the gene of pursuing and yearning for a great society inherent in the excellent tradition of the Chinese nation.
Wu Zeng, who participated in the Revolution of 1911, said in retrospect of his ideological transformation: "The lofty ideal of equality for all and the elimination of the rich and the poor depicted in socialist books greatly inspired me and reminded me of the Three People's Principles advocated by Dr. Sun Yat-sen and the Great Harmony Theory in China's ancient world.
All these are interwoven into the bright future of the future society in my mind. (Wu Wenji, Volume II, Chongqing Publishing House, 1987, p. 1058- 1059) It is precisely because of China's special national conditions and cultural traditions that Marxism has aroused widespread ideological resonance in China, and the first generation of Marxists in China was born. Under their influence and leadership, more and more people chose Marxism.
As General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out, "In this historical trend, under the guidance of Marxism, a Marxist political party-China * * * Party has emerged, shouldering the historical responsibility of national rejuvenation and leading the people of China to create a miracle on earth". It is precisely because of this firm belief from generation to generation that Marxism took root in China and achieved fruitful results, which made China, an ancient oriental country, create an unprecedented development miracle in human history.
Extended data
adapting Marxism to the Chinese context
First of all, this is determined by the theoretical quality of Marxism itself. When Marxism was founded, it put forward the view that "workers have no motherland", but workers are "still a nation". (Selected Works of Marx and Engels, vol. 1, p. 29 1) This reveals the dialectical unity of the world, internationality and nationality of the proletariat, from which we can naturally infer that for the basic principles of Marxism, "the practical application of these principles mentioned in the declaration should be based on the historical conditions at that time."
(Selected Works of Marx and Engels, vol. 1, p. 248) That is to say, once Marxism stepped out of the study and settled in the real world, it must answer and solve the local practical problems at that time. On the other hand, a nation's proletariat and its political vanguard, * * *, want to successfully practice the basic principles of Marxism.
We must also combine this principle with the reality of our country and enrich and develop Marxism with new practice, new content and new language. Therefore, upholding Marxism and developing Marxism are interdependent, which is the source of strength for the "universal application" of Marxism.
Secondly, this is also a solemn conclusion drawn by our party after summing up historical experience and lessons. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, there are two diametrically opposed attitudes on how to study and practice Marxism-Leninism, one is dogmatism, and the other is seeking truth from facts.
Dogmatism regards the works of Marxist classic writers as quotations and bibles, and remains silent about "learning from the scriptures". Only pay attention to their specific conclusions, but ignore the specific historical background and process of the conclusion. I haven't seen many views of classical Marxist writers, and they are all summed up from the experience of proletarian revolutionary practice in Europe. If we apply them mechanically to China, an eastern society with relatively backward economy and culture, we will definitely make the mistake of "acclimatization".
In doing so, it seems that it has obtained the "true classics" of Marxism, but in fact it has abandoned the soul of the sentence "concrete analysis of specific problems of Marxism"; It seems that the thought is revolutionary, but in fact it is very conservative. Once this idea is adopted to guide practice, it will easily bring serious losses to the socialist revolution and construction.
Corresponding to this is the attitude of seeking truth from facts. In Mao Zedong's words, Marxism–Leninism was used as an "arrow" to shoot at the "goal" of China's revolutionary practice, with scientific theory and clear goals. This is called "targeted". If China Marxism is used to guide China's practice, it will be invincible.
Looking back at the history of our party and the world communist movement, we can clearly see that when we adhere to the principle of Marxism in China, our revolution and construction will be smooth sailing; On the contrary, whenever we violate this principle and adhere to Marxism metaphysically, rigidly, conservatively and unilaterally, our socialist cause will be seriously frustrated.