Tao Xi-sheng's Historical Research and Revolution Theory, 1927-1934

Tao Xi-sheng and Guo Mo-ruo were regarded as the two ear liest mas ters devoted to the research of Chinese socially economic history. Owing to Tao s close tie with Jiang Jie-shi from late 1930s, the early thoughts of Taos in C hinese academic circle have for a long time deviated considerably from his true thoughts. By exploring in detail the biographical data of Taos and his thought s , this paper demonstrates that Taos historical research and revolutionary theo r y in late 1920s and early 1930s typically showed the stand of “Gai-zu-pai” ( ), then an opponent clique of Nanjing national government. What Tao objected t o was just the corruptive tendency of bureaucracy in Nangjing government resulti ng from the purge of communist party, such as its divorce from masses and the lo ss of its revolutionary spirit.