The Question of Establishing the Red Army University[1]

(May 20, 1936)

(1) The duration of study shall be six months, with some sections lasting nine months to one year. Cadres at the front can now be self-sufficient. The aim is to take into account the unfolding of the current situation and to prepare a large number of high-level cadres. (2) Educational policy: For the senior and higher-level sections, the first three months shall emphasize politics, accounting for two-thirds of the time; in the latter three months, politics and military affairs shall be given equal weight. In military affairs, campaign tactics and strategy shall each account for half, with the main focus on the study of advanced principles of strategy, linked to general knowledge, and partially linked to cultural studies. For the general section, in the first three months, culture, politics, and military affairs shall each account for one-third; in the latter three months, culture, politics, and military affairs shall each account for half, with emphasis on military affairs. Military affairs shall emphasize tactical issues, while basic concepts of strategy and campaigns shall be imparted, progressing from concrete study to an understanding of principles. (3) Educational content: For the senior and higher-level sections, politics—fundamental issues of the world and the Chinese revolution, current affairs issues; materials—An Introduction to Leninism and various important books; military affairs—fundamental issues in China’s revolutionary wars, current affairs issues; other important books. (4) Educational methods: For the senior and higher-level sections, guided independent research shall be primary, supplemented by lectures. For the general section, politics—combine lectures with discussion; military affairs—combine lectures with exercises. (5) Organization: President Lin Biao, Director of Education Luo Ruiqing, Head of the University Affairs Department Zhou Kun, Head of the Academic Affairs Department He Dizhou, Head of the Political Department Yuan Guoping. The Education Committee shall be composed of Lin Biao, Luo Ruiqing, Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai, Yang Shangkun, and Zhou Kun. Instructors shall be Zhang Wentian, Qin Bangxian, Zhou Enlai, Mao Zedong, Lin Yuying, He

[1] On May 20, 1936, the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee convened a meeting in northern Shaanxi. The meeting focused on discussing the question of establishing the Red Army University. This is part of the report delivered by Mao Zedong at the meeting.

Kai Feng, Li Weihan, Yang Shangkun, Ye Jianying, Lin Biao, Luo Ruiqing, Zhang Ruxin, Yuan Guoping, and Dong Biwu.