From The Workers’ Leader To Political Symbol

Zhu Xuefan is a democratic fighter and political activist in modern Chinese history. Living in an era when the country was beset by enemies from within and without as well as an era of political changes, he dedicated all his life to the causes of workers. He is a historic figure whom has to be mentioned when it comes to the history of modern workers’ movements. As a leader of workers, his relationships with the KMT and the communist party are complicated. His historical significance not only lies in his effect on the workers’ movements, but also lies more in his own political connotation in turbulent times. This is also the main issue that will be discussed in this paper.This paper mainly takes Zhu Xuefan’s political experiences as the clue and discusses his behaviors and influences during the workers’ movements. Besides this clue, the paper also deals with other important characters who affected Zhu’s political opportunities as well as their political dissents and struggles for interests. In addition, according to Zhu’s interests, this paper will discuss how Zhu changed from a leader of the workers to a political symbol and the process in which Zhu compromised, resisted and finally accepted as to the political connotation issue. In an era of changes, the measures that a figure who was a leader in some certain fields adopted to balance and choose between personal interests and national emotions will also be studied in this paper.Partisan issue is an important problem in workers’ movements in modern Shanghai. Although Zhu knew the KMT rule was extreme, he chose to join the KMT under the background of the strong oppressions of imperialism. Moreover, the KMT and the labor union in Shanghai interpenetrated deeply. The workers’ movements may be influenced by the KMT, but could more or less be independent and step into the center of power. However, later the corrupt dictatorship of the KMT was condemned by many progressive people from all walks of life. As the national crisis deepened, Zhu Xuefan also deeply realized the gap between ideal and reality. After a series of persecutions on the democratic personage by the GMT, Zhu Xuefan decided to break away from the KMT.In terms of the communist party, as early as in the 20th International Labor Conference, Zhu and the communist party had reached a consensus of the war of resistance. At that time, Zhu was invited by Nashville Nick who was the labor representative of the Soviet Union and the chairman of the central council of the Soviet Union. After the conference, Zhu visited the Soviet Union and met Li Lisan. In the Anti-Japanese War, Zhu Xuefan’s idea of revolution matched the idea of the communist party of China, which gave Zhu Xuefan hope on the prospect of workers’ joint anti-Japan issue. As to the communist party of China, a leader of workers was lacked to unite the workers to fight and produce. All the objective and subjective reasons contributed to Zhu’s acceptance of the political meanings given by the communist party.Throughout Zhu Xuefan’s life achievements and political experiences, his political relationships with the KMT and the communist party of China had made a very deep influence on the workers’ movements and even on the whole political revolution in the turbulent and depressed modern Chinese history.