China’s Long March: How a 1930s Peasant War Still Inspires the Country’s Rise

This past October marked the 90th anniversary of the Long March, where the Red Army and its peasant supporters began their year-long 6,000 mile trek across China. The trek was a strategic retreat from advancing Nationalist forces, but it also represented the mass mobilization of the peasant base, unified the country against Japanese imperialism, and consolidated Mao’s leadership of the CPC and its revolutionary strategy. The Long March was, in short, one of the greatest revolutionary feats of the 20th century. This week, Amanda and KJ are joined by Tings Chak to discuss the major achievements of the Long March, how it connects to present-day China, and how its revolutionary spirit is kept alive in Ruijin and Yan’an.