Greetings from Yenan!
I am currently in the remote and desolate corner of northern Shaanxi province known as Yenan. This location has become the epicenter of a revolutionary movement led by the CCP, and is extremely open to new sympathizers. Today, we look into the reason why Yenan is so attractive to so many people and explore why so many are flocking to this place despite its challenging conditions.
Yenan acts as a sanctuary of stability in a nation torn apart by war and foreign invasion. It is the temporary headquarters of the CCP, and the CCP claims to provide security for those who have seen their lives shattered by the ongoing chaos tearing through China. The CCP’s promise of land reform and protection for peasants resonates deeply with those seeking refuge from the horrors of Japanese occupation and the political instability that plagues the rest of the country. This promise rings throughout China, and people who are unable to protect themselves, rely on the CCP’s protection from foreign invaders. Also, many people find Mao to be very charismatic and he comes across as a strong yet generous leader. During times of crisis, it is human nature to stick by someone who is like that.
In Yenan, ideology becomes a powerful magnet. The CCP’s vision for a more equitable society, based on principles of land redistribution and social equality, captures the hearts and minds of people from diverse backgrounds. It offers hope in a world marred by injustice and oppression, drawing in individuals who dream of a fairer and more just China. Along with this, many people didn’t really have a choice to come to Yenan. The CCP was not forcing them to come to Yenan with them, but with all the chaos happening in China, their two choices were either following the CCP to their “sanctuary city,” or dying. I don’t know about you, but the choice would be pretty easy for me.
The people who are able to fight back against the Japanese invasion also want to travel to Yenan. They have seen how well the Red Army’s Guerrilla war tactics are working against the invaders and believe the best chance they have to fight against the Japanese is by fighting with the Red Army.
Many women also find Yenan a great place to flee to. Women have always been restricted to caring for their family and the house. However, in Yenan, while the men are busy fighting the Japanese and the Nationalist party, the women play an integral role in the survival of the people in Yenan. The women are expected to do agricultural work, produce textiles, and sew since these tasks are no longer able to be done by men. Women would also create things like clothing and blankets for the army. Many women for years have felt very useless due to their low status in society, however, now they are able to contribute to the success of their society. This type of opportunity became very attractive to many women longing for a purpose.
Yenan is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of revolutionary ideals. Despite the challenges and hardships that come with life in this remote location, people from all walks of life are drawn here by the promise of a better future for China.
Sincerely,
Miao Bing Rong
I agree with your main idea. However, I think “following the CCP to their “sanctuary city,” or dying” is a problematic oversimplification. Many are suffering but some groups are better off than others. The impact of Japanese devastation varied by region and the wealthy could use their resources to flee the conflict or protect themselves and their families.
You write well. Rather than the CCP simply providing protection from the Japanese as you have said, they are actively equipping all able bodies to fight. Furthermore, I would argue that women’s traditional work in the household does play an extremely important role in society and should not be denigrated, but that she should not be constrained to or expected to do only that. But you are right, the former Confucian ‘moral’ constraints on women’s work and talents inhibited not only them but society as a whole from progressing and reaching its full potential.
I agree with the point that charismatic people tend to gain support during times when society is in chaos. At that period in China, the life must have been unstable and people wanted to follow who has strong leadership. It is also interesting to see how attractive a society in which it was easier for women to play an active role actually was to women at the time.
The points you brought up that made Yenan attractive were spot on. It was simply put by if the Chinese people didn’t join the CPP they were more likely to live a poor lifestyle as the Japanese were taking over numerous villages. Those people who wanted to stay alive and fight for a change did join Mao on the Long March and ended top at Yenan. Having Yenan be the headquarters allowed for the social reforms to be centralized which spread the notion of change all over the country.