Why Did the Communist Revolution Originally Seek to Quell Confucianism?

Communism has long been thought of in western culture as the source of all evil. Communism in China had it's beginnings during the 1920's and its belief system was in sharp contrast to that of Confucianism. From the beginning of the 1200's to about 1949 and the beginning of the communist era Confucianism dominated Chinese sociopolitical life, obviously for the largest part of the Chinese history. Through the "Mandate of Heaven" it was determined that the emperors were to rule the Chinese empire by divine command. Because of this philosophy, the people of China did not question the people that governed them and lived their lives by this system of social virtues. The Communist party has officially governed China for more than sixty years, and during this time there have been a small number of significant objections to the regime. Thus, even as China enters a new era of economic growth and success the Communist rule is still strong. Yet, the leaders of the party are recognizing the need for adaptation as they are undergoing significant change.

During the establishment of Communism within China one of the main objectives was to put an end to all aspects of Confucian philosophy which dominated the Chinese life. "Confucianism is not a real religion but more a lifestyle. Many Chinese people like to live in the holy lifestyle of this philosopher and believe in the power of his theories. Respect for hierarchic structures in the family and the society makes men aware that he is part of a bigger social structure." (Zanen, 2007, para 3). Communism on the other hand departed from the mainstream thought of population. Mao Tse-Tung is regarded as the father of Communism within China. "Mao believed that all vestiges of Chinese traditional culture needed to be overturned. These included hsiao, or filial piety, Confucianism, monarchism, ancestor worship, religion, and the authority of elders. He saw the Chinese as dominated by three separate institutions: the state, the clan and family, and the system of gods and spirits (theocratic authority). Women, for their part, were dominated by all three of these institutions and were also dominated by men. These "four authorities"--political authority, clan authority, theocratic authority, and the authority of the husband--had to be all dismantled in order for China to enter a truly egalitarian and communist stage." (Hooker, 1999, para. 5). It was these beliefs that led to the suppressing of Confucianism within China among the Chinese Communist Party.

Confucianism and Communism both have had a significant impact on the development of China. Yet, Communism which is relatively new in the country attempted to quell Confucianism which had played a major role in Chinese society for nearly 2500 years. Communists openly expressed there differences with the Confucian principles in order to further their own agenda regarding the governing of China. Because of the differences between the two belief systems, it was the aspiration of Mao Tse-Tung and his regime to establish social order, it is evident in Tse-Tung's written texts. He wrote about his desire to alter the negative characteristics of the Chinese people.Though these beliefs were in sharp contrast to Confucius beliefs for the most part the Chinese Communist Party had good intentions for the greater good of their country and the Chinese society.

Confucian teachings expresses that self-cultivation is personal and individual. In comparison the communists see development as a communal effort, something to be achieved by society as a whole. Another major difference between Confucianism and Communism was the belief of how the government should function within China. In regards to the government within China the Communist party "exercises control over its members through the principle of "democratic centralism," which makes each member subordinate to the party organization. It has a pyramid structure resting on millions of local-level party organizations across the country and reaching all the way up to the highest decision-making bodies in Beijing." (Bajoria, 2007, para. 1). China is moving in a new direction and significant changes are occurring mainly due to the government's acknowledgment of the importance of a harmonious society and Confucianism in everyday lives of the Chinese. " Confucius said, 'Harmony is something to be cherished,'" President Hu Jintao noted in February 2005. A few months later, he instructed China's party cadres to build a "harmonious society." Echoing Confucian themes, Hu said China should promote such values as honesty and unity, as well as forge a closer relationship between the people and the government. The teaching curriculum for secondary schools now includes teaching of the Confucian classics, and several experimental schools have been set up that focus largely on the classics."