Peasant Rebellions and the Fall of Feudalism: Reestablishing Historical Values in Chinese Communist Party’s Historical Narrative
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Abstract
This article investigates the understanding of peasant rebellions in the historical narrative of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) through three distinct rebellions: the Chen Sheng Wu Guang, Huang Cao, and Li Zicheng rebellions. The results show that the CCP aimed to connect peasant rebellions with the concept of class revolution by portraying landlords and the ruling class as the principal oppressors of the laboring class in ancient Chinese feudal society. Civil disorder was seen as a lower-class response to upper-class maltreatment. In ancient Chinese history, class consciousness and awareness of revolutionary politics had not yet developed. Despite civil disorders, Chinese society retained a feudal structure. However, the CCP selectively utilized the lessons of peasant rebellions to benefit its revolution. CCP Chairman Mao Zedong was the key figure who framed a narrative around the failed peasant rebellions to advance the CCP's revolutionary agenda. These narratives persist into the era of Chinese President Xi Jinping, more than seven decades after the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
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