Historical Studies (Chinese Edition)

No.4, 2013

 

The CPC's Establishment of the 'Democratic United Front' and Two Debates in China's Intellectual Circles (1922-1924)                     

(Abstract)

 

Zheng Shiqu

From 1922 to1924, the Communist Party of China (CPC) resolved to set up a "Democratic United Front" to promote KMT-CPC cooperation and bring about a national revolution. From the outset, the resolution was closely related to the situation in Chinese intellectual circles at the time. Hu Shi and others had put forward the idea of "good government", reflecting academics' illusions in relation to warlord rule. This added fuel to the reformist approach and ran counter to the CPC goal of establishing the "Democratic United Front." The resulting sense of urgency led the CPC to make a quick decision to make a choice, leading eventually to the formation of its own policies. The CPC's harsh denunciations and patient guidance effectively safeguarded the overall interests of the "United Front" and drew in Hu Shi and his colleagues. The CPC took part in the debate on Science and Metaphysics, but at the same time kept above the fray. Led by materialism, it successfully channeled the controversy in the direction of establishing a "Democratic United Front," thus stamping its own imprint on the debate.