A Research On The Formation Of Early Zhejiang-born Communist Intellectuals'group

In the history of China's early communist movement and through the foundation of the Communist Party of China, early regional communist intellectuals'groups emerged in large numbers. Among them, Zhejiang-born communist intellectuals' group, with distinctive features, made important contributions. Representative figures of this group are Hu Gongmian, Shao Lizi, Shen Dingyi, Chen Wangdao, Hua Lin, Xie Wenjin, Shen Yanbing, Xuan Zhonghua, Wang Yifei, Zhang Qiuren, He Chihua, Ye Tiandi, Wang Huiwu, Yu Xiusong, Shi Cuntong, Liang Baitai, Shen Zemin, Wang Shouhua, Zhuang Wengong and etc.The formation of early Zhejiang-born communist intellectuals'group is a product of not only modern China's profound social changes and international environmental impacts, but also of the political, economic and cultural progress in Zhejiang and climate in its periphery. Most members in this group came from lower-class families, mainly the poor farming families and village teacher families. The education they accepted embodies the transformation from the traditional Confucian education to the new modern education. A substantial portion of them received secondary normal education. In face of severe national crisis and dark political reality, these people, inherited the spirit of social participation from traditional scholars, showed an active participation in their real political lives. They played a vanguard and exemplary role in series of political revolutions and movements and also promoted in-depth development to these movements, such as the Revolution of1911, the New Culture Movement, the May4th Movement, Zhejiang No.1Teachers College Incident and etc.The formation of early Zhejiang-born communist intellectuals'group can be further divided into three stages:the initial formation stage (from the spring of1920to the end of the year), the development stage (from the end of1920to the end of1921), and the final establishment stage (from the end of1921to July1922). From the perspective of thought evolution in its formation, three categories can be identified. The first is a transformation from democratic revolution to Marxism highly praised by Shao Lizi, Shen Dingyi, Chen Wangdao and etc. The second is a transformation from anarchism to Marxism promoted by Yu Xiusong, Shi Cun Tong et al. The last is a transformation from patriotism to Marxism advocated by Xuan Zhonghua, Ye Tiandi, Liang Baitai, Zhang Qiuren, He Chihua et al. According to the analysis of direct causes, the formation of early Zhejiang-born communist intellectuals'group is an inevitable result of the development of national salvation movement in modern times. It is also the historical outcome of the spread of Marxism in China since late-Qing Dynasty and the natural outgrowth of the new modern education.In the history of China's early communist movement and through the foundation of the Communist Party of China, the contributions of Zhejiang-born communist intellectuals' group were diverse in many sides. To begin with, it made great theoretical contribution to the foundation of the Communist Party of China by establishing and supervising the publication of Marxism newspapers and magazines to introduce and promote Marxism. Moreover, its great important contribution to the foundation of the Communist Party of China can be revealed in its efforts and participation in the establishment of the early organization of the party and in the organization of the First National Congress of Communist Party of China. Third, it promoted the development of labor movement by stimulating the application of Marxism to it. Last, it launched and led the Yaqian peasant movement, and provided important referential experiences for the later Communist-led peasant revolutions.Zhejiang-born and Hunan-born regional communist intellectuals'groups, as the two most influential groups in May Fourth Period, play an important role in the history of China's early communist movement. The early Zhejiang-born communist intellectuals' group has not only the common characteristics of communist intellectuals' groups, but also its own distinct characteristics. It shares multiple common characteristics with early Hunan-born communist intellectuals'group, which is illustrated as follows. First, the majority members of these two groups are lower-class came form remote villages in the inland. Thus, these groups have a close link to the lower-class. Second, based on their age, most members of the two groups are young intellectuals, who are the most dynamic force in China's social changes. Third, from the perspective of occupation, most of them, who are teachers, editors, reporters, translators, students and etc., are from the cultural circles and education circles. Fourth, from the view of political character, they show a strong concern to the fate of the nation and its people. Fifth, they share similar value appeals because they all have a strong sense of responsibility to reform the society. Sixth, from the perspective of spiritual temperament, all of them can be characterized as unyielding, truth-seeking and pioneering.The differences between the early Zhejiang-born communist intellectuals'group and its Hunan counterpart are list as follows. To begin with, the areas where the two groups first set up and where they stay active are different, and the social network and link channel between members in each group are not the same. Zhejiang-born communist intellectuals' group was mainly restricted in Shanghai, while the stronghold of its Hunan counterpart scattered in Shanghai, Beijing, Changsha and France. Moreover, both groups had made unique contributions to the history of China's early communist movement and the foundation of the Communist Party of China. Third, influenced by the regional cultures, both groups reflected distinctive spirits and temperaments. What had stood out is that Hunan group, which focused greatly on moral consciousness and personal accomplishment, was deeply and greatly influenced by Neo-Confucianism; while Zhejiang group tended to pursue functional social effects and they rarely were trapped in the bondage of traditions, with some were firmly against the traditions.Members of the early Zhejiang-born communist intellectuals' group gathered due to ideals and finally divergedp in the fiery revolutionary struggle. The history of this period not only witness successful explorations but also regrets and sadness of the people who lost and failed. No matter what, they all had devoted their youth and passion to the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation as well as the prosperity of the country. Their historical achievements should not be forgotten. The spirit of self-sacrifice of those who gave their lives for greater purposes is a precious spiritual wealth for the whole nation and is the inexhaustible motive power to the continuous development and advancement in solidarity of the nation.