In 1917, October Revolution took place
in Russia, and the first socialist state in the world was established. The victory
of October Revolution and the spread of socialist thought attracted the attention
of progressive Chinese intellectuals. They found Marxism as an alternative to save
China.
In 1919, Chinese proletariat achievely took part in the patriotic May 4th Movement,
showing their decisive power in the final victory of the movement. Since then, intellectuals
with new communist ideas began to advocate breaking away the old system and building
a new society with the support of the proletariat and a revolution under guidance
of Marxism.
In August 1920, the first communist group was established in Shanghai by Chen Duxiu,
Li Da and Li Hanjun. In October, another communist group was founded by Li Dazhao,
Zhang Guotao and Deng Zhongxia in Beijing. Later on, communist organizations flourished
in province of Hubei, Shandong, Guangdong, Hunan, and even among overseas students
in France. All these groups were deliberating on forming a communist party on the
national level.
On July 23rd, 1921, thirteen representatives from around the country including Mao
Zedong, He Shuheng and Dong Biwu held a secret meeting in Shanghai as first National
Conference of Communist Party of China (CPC). The first party constitution was reviewed
and accepted, stipulating the goals of the party. The goals were to set up a proletariat
revolutionary party to overthrow the fuling capitalist government and replace it
with the dictatorship of the proletariat, marked by the abolishment of private ownership
and social class distinction. Chen Duxiu, Zhang Guotao and Li Da were elected to
form Central Bureau of the party with Chen as the Secretary in Chief. On July 30th,
to avoid attention from the secret plice, the representatives left Shanghai, and
the conference adjourned to a pleasure-boat on Nanhu Lake in nearby Jiaxing.
Following this conference, the CPC, a brand-new political force become active on
Chinese political stage. The CPC brought hope to the suffering Chinese people.
Reference data
Li Dazhao (1889 - 1927)
Li Dazhao, born in Leting, Hebei province, was a professor in the Department of
Economics and the curator of school library at Peking University. As an editor of
the magazine New Youth, he was one of the first Marxists in China, and one of founders
of the CPC. In 1920, he organized communist activities in Beijing. After founding
of the CPC, he was responsible for activities in northern China. He played an important
role in helping Dr. Sun Yat-sen to establish the three cardinal policies - allying
with Russia, uniting with the CPC and assisting farmers and workers - and the reorganizing
of Nationalist Party (Kuonintang, KMT) during the first round of cooperation between
the two parties. He was elected member of Central Committee in the secend, third
and fourth national conferences of the CPC. In April 1927, he was arrested by the
warlord, Zhang Zuolin, and was executed in Beijing.
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