The first major effort of Soviet Russia to win the sympathies of China and to establish direct contact with its government was a manifesto of July 25, 1919. Previously the Bolsheviks had directed their propaganda and diplomatic efforts at the Entente Powers, with only occasional words for “the oppressed peoples of the East.” As Siberia was being rewon and its armies were approaching the long Sino-Soviet frontier, the Kremlin now focused greater attention on the Far East with its vast potential of revolutionary resources and its reservoir of anti-imperialist, anti-Western sentiments.

The success of the Chinese Communists in defeating their adversaries and consolidating their power is in large measure attributable to their capture of the sympathy and support of students and intelligentsia. This was the culmination of a long historical development. Repeated Kuomintang failures, social, economic, and political, drove more and more of the literate class into the Communist camp. This group now comprises some of the most enthusiastic supporters of the new regime, and they have been given the task of consolidating the Communist position among workers, peasants, and businessmen. There are dissenters, but few will risk open criticism of Marxist theory, Russian orientation, or party policy. This paper deals with the pronouncements and actions of a group of scholars and educators in the field of sociology who have been particularly prominent in their support and implementation of the policies of the new regime.