The “local/outsider problem” among Chinese communist party cadres during the early period of the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression: a case study focusing on the Taihang Base Area

Abstract

ABSTRACTDuring the Chinese War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, the Taihang Base Area was one of the most important bases established by the Chinese Communist Party behind the enemy lines in northern China. During the early period of the war, the base areas were impacted by both the outside character of the Party organization and the larger United Front environment. Many cadres in the Taihang Base Area came from other locations. In Shanxi Province, the existence of the Sacrifice League and the unusual configuration of the United Front produced scattered but widespread “local/outsider” contradictions within the cadre ranks. In response to this, local Party organizations promoted political integration through a variety of means and gradually brought these contradictions under control. However, because of the aggressive efforts of the Central Shanxi Special Committee to integrate the Sacrifice League into the Party, a severe conflict emerged between the Central Shanxi Special Committee, which represented outside forces, and the Sacrifice League, which represented local forces. Through the intervention of the Eighth Route Army and the Northern Bureau, the Chinese Communist Party Hebei–Henan–Shanxi Provincial Committee resolved the problem through high-profile criticism and low-profile measures, thus promoting progress toward integration.