Dear readers, we are living in unprecedented times, filled to the brim with those who are seeking change in an unfair world. However, that change is where many seemed to get bogged down, which is why reform has all but stopped in a number of areas. To some, China has changed enough in the years following the glorious revolution of 1911. We’ve been through regime change after regime change, Chiang Kai-Shek, for all his faults, has been a consistent force in the political scene. While stability as a goal can be well understood amongst our people, many of us were born into strife, hunger, and war, a great deal of the population does not see “stability” as the end goal. Some have turned to mainstream routes of reform, rising up the political ladder and seeking policy change in Nanjing. Time and time again it appears that our leader is not listening to the reason of the masses, all too often pleasing a minority that keeps him in power, the middle and upper classes. However, as you, reasonable readers, may be more than aware, our people largely live in the rural countryside with vastly different wants and needs, and dare I say more needs, than those who have already been so gifted in life. It is in this vein, this recognition of inequities perpetuated by the government in Nanjing that many have sympathized and joined up with the natural enemy of Chiang Kai-Shek’s Kuomintang party, the Communists.
However, even different still are a great many peasants who have no understanding of the greater political game being played. They are simply not afforded that luxury. Many families in the countryside are still subjected to the whims of tax collectors and tyrannical local officials who seek out their own gain first and foremost. This has led to reported instances of taxes being collected decades in advance, bankrupting households under unjust circumstances. Many families have felt the need to, or have been outright forced, to hand over daughters as a form of “payment”, whether that be directly or sold into bondage in order to raise the demanded funds. Wan Xiang, a woman now living in CCP (Chinese Communist Party)-governed territory, spoke with me about her upbringing. Her sister was forced into marriage by a local official while she, at 7 years old, was sold as a child bride to pay a 1,000 silver dollar fine imposed by the same official on her family. These terrible events are occurring under the umbrella of both the Republic and the various warlord states scattered across China. Leadership has no interest in cracking down, and thus many have felt forced to act for radical change. For these people it is not an ideological contest, implementing global revolution as a means of achieving communism. No, this is an issue of practicality, what is in their best interest right now. In and around the Jiangxi and Fujian provinces many peasants are being stirred up by communist organizers, those who although have their own motives for their work present an opportunity of reprieve in dark times.
Circumstances that people are faced with are not always imposed upon them by officials exploiting lack of oversight, no, many younger Chinese men and women are chafing under traditional values that were merely accepted by previous generations. With hope lost many were forced to give in to forced and arranged marriages, sold into slavery, and other cruelties. While these still exist the communist organizers have provided a means to an end for many wanting to resist what was previously deemed as “just the way things are”. Xie Pai-lan, a woman also now living in CCP-governed territory, was not familiar with the policy of the communists, and what their aims or governing philosophies were. No, she was just told that joining would mean avoiding an arranged marriage. The revolutionaries preach an egalitarian view of marriage, you may marry who you choose, and separate of your own volition. Ms. Xie joined up in order to avoid a marriage to a man well over 10 years her senior, enjoying the benefits therein. In addition, she partook in a raid on a local landlord redistributing grain and clothes to the needy masses nearby. Readers, I would be remiss not to note the violence she mentioned was taken during this raid. People were killed in what was deemed a public service. While to some this may seem morally abhorrent, taking the law into your own hands is a frightening prospect to many. However, I must remind you that these people are dealing with unjust officials, and in some cases no law at all. Speaking to a higher authority is simply not an option, and in the real world survival of the strongest is the law. A revolution that removes oppression cannot be effective or successful without bloodshed and conflict, at least that is what’s preached by the revolutionaries.
The communists around China, especially those located within the Jiangxi Soviet, have faced opposition from Chiang Kai-shek’s Kuomintang from all angles. Thus far, despite organized and determined efforts the Soviet has held out, although standing in opposition to such an overwhelming force is a battle one can imagine as downhill. Although uncertainty is the only certainty, an air of revolution, of dissatisfaction with those in power, has been thoroughly sown into China’s rural populace. It remains to be seen how that will develop going forward, whether that be through the reform of the Republic or more drastic measures.
To your point about the violent means employed by the peasants, it seems as though they have been driven to this point by their oppressors. I’m reluctant to judge this violence as I am one of the people in a much more privileged position than those who are starving or being sold like property. However, it seems like this preliminary violence is a significant indication of large-scale action being taken in the future in the form of a revolution; is that the natural progression beyond this point, if peasants are already shaking up the order of things? It seems as though the countryside has reached its breaking point.
It is sad to see the disunity of our society plagued by violence in every corner. While I agree that the violence carried out by the CCP members is unfortunate, I would argue the history of our nation since the 1911 Revolution is truly to blame. We see violence in every facet of our country. It is sad to say that I agree with your notion that these people are just trying to survive and stand up to the system that has so horribly oppressed them for decades. Their actions are better than the casual and thoughtless crimes carried out by the GMD or the warlords in the country. The biggest sign revolution is needed is the fact that we’re justifying murder for a just cause in the first place.
I like how you illustrate the perspective of the peasants through the relation of practicality. To many peasants they were reacting against their poverty and dismal situations, and not willingly entering a cause on intellectual grounds. Peasants did not see revolution as a political end but rather as a means to change their living situation regardless of what the political situation may have been during this period.
I like how you brought up great examples, specifically the one on women being enslaved. Just horrible! I am also very impressed with your writing, I am not a teacher but I would give this an A.