--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Without armed struggle neither the…" description: "\"Without armed struggle neither the proletariat, nor the people, nor the Communist Party would have any standing at all in China and it would be impossi..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e72/mao-zedong-1123_armed-struggle_without-armed-struggle-neither-the-prole_2800979.jpg" --- # Without armed struggle neither the proletariat, nor the… ![“Without armed struggle neither the proletariat, nor the people, nor the Communist Party would have any standing at all in China and it would be impossible for the revolution to triumph. In these years [the eighteen years since the founding of the Party] the development, consolidation and…” quote by Mao Zedong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e72/mao-zedong-1123_armed-struggle_without-armed-struggle-neither-the-prole_2800979.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e72/mao-zedong-1123_armed-struggle_without-armed-struggle-neither-the-prole_2800979.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e72/mao-zedong-1123_armed-struggle_without-armed-struggle-neither-the-prole_2800979.jpg) > “Without armed struggle neither the proletariat, nor the people, nor the Communist Party would have any standing at all in China and it would be impossible for the revolution to triumph. In these years \[the eighteen years since the founding of the Party\] the development, consolidation and bolshevization of our Party have proceeded in the midst of revolutionary wars; without armed struggle the Communist Party would assuredly not be what it is today. Comrades throughout the Party must never forget this experience for which we have paid in blood.” [Mao Zedong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mao-zedong/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Armed struggle was essential for the Communist Party’s legitimacy and revolutionary success in China. **In simple terms:** Violence was key to the Party’s power and victory. Key Takeaway Recognize the role of force in historical change. Themes revolution political legitimacy military struggle Mood defiant serious Type historical political When to use this quote - war of independence - civil war - party building - social reform Key Concepts Marxism-Leninism state formation social upheaval Questions to Reflect On - Is force always necessary for political change? - What alternatives could achieve similar outcomes? A Different Perspective Violence can cause severe human suffering and may not be sustainable. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Armed struggle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/armed-struggle/) [China](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/china/) [Communist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communist/) [Communist party](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communist-party/) [Comrade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comrade/) [Party](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/party/) [Peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peace/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Proletariat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/proletariat/) [Revolution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/revolution/) [Revolutionary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/revolutionary/) [Revolutionary war](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/revolutionary-war/) [Struggle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/struggle/) [Today](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/today/) [Triumph](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/triumph/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) ## Related quotes > [Whoever wishes to blame or attack me is entitled to do so. I regret I didn't have enough experience to totally control the movement.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pol-pot/whoever-wishes-to-blame-or-attack-me-is-entitled-to-do-so-i-regret-i/) [Pol Pot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pol-pot/) > [The main form of struggle is war; the main form of organization is the army... . Without armed struggle there would be no place…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mao-zedong/the-main-form-of-struggle-is-war-the-main-form-of-organization-is-the/) [Mao Zedong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mao-zedong/) > [“But after living in Communist China for the past seventeen years, I knew that such a society was only a dream because those who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nien-cheng/but-after-living-in-communist-china-for-the-past-seventeen-years-i/) [Nien Cheng](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nien-cheng/) > [I had been friendly with people who were in the Communist party and all the rest of the Left forces, which were oriented in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ella-baker/i-had-been-friendly-with-people-who-were-in-the-communist-party-and/) [Ella Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ella-baker/) > [“The reason why people in communist countries have less "stuff," is that these economic systems to not work very well, not because their inhabitants…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-hilmersen/the-reason-why-people-in-communist-countries-have-less-stuff-is-that/) Thomas Hilmersen > [Revolutions and revolutionary wars are inevitable in class society, and without them it is impossible to accomplish any leap in social development and to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mao-zedong/revolutions-and-revolutionary-wars-are-inevitable-in-class-society/) [Mao Zedong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mao-zedong/) > [Reading is learning, but applying is also learning and the more important kind of learning at that. Our chief method is to learn warfare…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mao-zedong/reading-is-learning-but-applying-is-also-learning-and-the-more-2/) [Mao Zedong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mao-zedong/) > [Revolutionary war is an antitoxin that not only eliminates the enemy's poison but also purges us of our own filth. Every just, revolutionary war…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mao-zedong/revolutionary-war-is-an-antitoxin-that-not-only-eliminates-the-enemy/) [Mao Zedong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mao-zedong/) > [Revolutionary war is an antitoxin which not only eliminates the enemy's poison but also purges us of our own filth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mao-zedong/revolutionary-war-is-an-antitoxin-which-not-only-eliminates-the-enemy/) [Mao Zedong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mao-zedong/) > [All counter-revolutionary wars are unjust, all revolutionary wars are just.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mao-zedong/all-counter-revolutionary-wars-are-unjust-all-revolutionary-wars-are/) [Mao Zedong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mao-zedong/) > [The revolutionary war is a war of the masses; it can be waged only by mobilizing the masses and relying on them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mao-zedong/the-revolutionary-war-is-a-war-of-the-masses-it-can-be-waged-only-by/) [Mao Zedong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mao-zedong/) > [Reading is learning, but applying is also learning and the more important kind of learning at that. Our chief method is to learn warfare…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mao-zedong/reading-is-learning-but-applying-is-also-learning-and-the-more/) [Mao Zedong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mao-zedong/) > [I rejected the armed struggle because, as a Christian, I am committed to a nonviolent and peaceful struggle. But people take their own initiatives,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mangosuthu-buthelezi/i-rejected-the-armed-struggle-because-as-a-christian-i-am-committed/) [Mangosuthu Buthelezi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mangosuthu-buthelezi/) > [Act after having made assessments. The one who first knows the measure of far and near wins - this is the rule of armed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/act-after-having-made-assessments-the-one-who-first-knows-the-measure/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [I was a hardliner with regard to colonialism, which had occupied Africa and large parts of the world. We were waging an armed struggle,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muammar-al-gaddafi/i-was-a-hardliner-with-regard-to-colonialism-which-had-occupied/) [Muammar al-Gaddafi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muammar-al-gaddafi/) ## More by Mao Zedong > [Firstly, do not fear hardship, and secondly, do not fear death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mao-zedong/firstly-do-not-fear-hardship-and-secondly-do-not-fear-death/) [Mao Zedong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mao-zedong/) > [The most effective method of propaganda directed at the enemy forces is to release captured soldiers and give the wounded medical treatment... Whenever soldiers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mao-zedong/the-most-effective-method-of-propaganda-directed-at-the-enemy-forces/) [Mao Zedong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mao-zedong/) > [We must learn to do economic work from all who know how, no matter who they are. We must esteem them as teachers, learning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mao-zedong/we-must-learn-to-do-economic-work-from-all-who-know-how-no-matter-who/) [Mao Zedong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mao-zedong/) > [A revolution is not a dinner party, or writing an essay, or painting a picture, or doing embroidery.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mao-zedong/a-revolution-is-not-a-dinner-party-or-writing-an-essay-or-painting-a/) [Mao Zedong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mao-zedong/) > [At the beginning of anything out of the ordinary, the mass of the people always dislike it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mao-zedong/at-the-beginning-of-anything-out-of-the-ordinary-the-mass-of-the/) [Mao Zedong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mao-zedong/) > [Winds flap the sail, tortoise and snake are silent, a great plan looms. A bridge will fly over this moat dug by heaven and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mao-zedong/winds-flap-the-sail-tortoise-and-snake-are-silent-a-great-plan-looms/) [Mao Zedong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mao-zedong/) > [Let a hundred flowers bloom, let a hundred schools of thought contend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mao-zedong/let-a-hundred-flowers-bloom-let-a-hundred-schools-of-thought-contend/) [Mao Zedong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mao-zedong/) > [ In the struggle to defend the legacy of Leninism . . . \[Stalin\] proved himself to be an outstanding Marxist-Leninist fighter. . . .… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mao-zedong/in-the-struggle-to-defend-the-legacy-of-leninism-stalin-proved/) [Mao Zedong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mao-zedong/) > [New things have to experience difficulties and setbacks as they grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mao-zedong/new-things-have-to-experience-difficulties-and-setbacks-as-they-grow/) [Mao Zedong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mao-zedong/) > [It is necessary to master Marxist theory and apply it, master it for the sole purpose of applying it. If you can apply the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mao-zedong/it-is-necessary-to-master-marxist-theory-and-apply-it-master-it-for/) [Mao Zedong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mao-zedong/) > [It is a very good thing, and a significant one too, to exterminate the bourgeoisie and capitalism in China.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mao-zedong/it-is-a-very-good-thing-and-a-significant-one-too-to-exterminate-the/) [Mao Zedong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mao-zedong/) > [Return to Shaoshan I regret the passing, the dying, of the vague dream: my native orchards thirty-two years ago. Yet red banners roused the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mao-zedong/return-to-shaoshan-i-regret-the-passing-the-dying-of-the-vague-dream/) [Mao Zedong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mao-zedong/) > [We should go to the masses and learn from them, synthesize their experience into better, articulated principles and methods, then do propaganda among the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mao-zedong/we-should-go-to-the-masses-and-learn-from-them-synthesize-their/) [Mao Zedong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mao-zedong/) > [Complacency is the enemy of study.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mao-zedong/complacency-is-the-enemy-of-study/) [Mao Zedong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mao-zedong/) > [Women hold up half the sky.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mao-zedong/women-hold-up-half-the-sky/) [Mao Zedong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mao-zedong/) [Explore all 287 Mao Zedong quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mao-zedong/) ## More Armed struggle quotes > [I was a hardliner with regard to colonialism, which had occupied Africa and large parts of the world. We were waging an armed struggle,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muammar-al-gaddafi/i-was-a-hardliner-with-regard-to-colonialism-which-had-occupied/) [Muammar al-Gaddafi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muammar-al-gaddafi/) > [Act after having made assessments. The one who first knows the measure of far and near wins - this is the rule of armed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/act-after-having-made-assessments-the-one-who-first-knows-the-measure/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [I rejected the armed struggle because, as a Christian, I am committed to a nonviolent and peaceful struggle. But people take their own initiatives,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mangosuthu-buthelezi/i-rejected-the-armed-struggle-because-as-a-christian-i-am-committed/) [Mangosuthu Buthelezi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mangosuthu-buthelezi/) > [I supported the right of oppressed people to armed struggle. That didn't mean I did it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-rosenberg/i-supported-the-right-of-oppressed-people-to-armed-struggle-that-didn/) [Susan Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-rosenberg/) > [The purpose of armed struggle is not simply to kill ... its purpose is to reach a political goal,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abu-abbas/the-purpose-of-armed-struggle-is-not-simply-to-kill-its-purpose-is-to/) [Abu Abbas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abu-abbas/) > [We will defend our victory through armed struggle. We will have to do that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-mugabe/we-will-defend-our-victory-through-armed-struggle-we-will-have-to-do/) [Robert Mugabe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-mugabe/) > [Two years ago, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon described the Gaza Strip settlement of Netzarim as a vital part of Israel's national security and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zuheir-mohsen/two-years-ago-israeli-prime-minister-ariel-sharon-described-the-gaza/) Zuheir Mohsen > [We don't want to impose our solutions by force, we want to create a democratic space. We don't see armed struggle in the classic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/subcomandante-marcos/we-don-t-want-to-impose-our-solutions-by-force-we-want-to-create-a/) [Subcomandante Marcos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/subcomandante-marcos/) > [The main form of struggle is war; the main form of organization is the army... . Without armed struggle there would be no place…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mao-zedong/the-main-form-of-struggle-is-war-the-main-form-of-organization-is-the/) [Mao Zedong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mao-zedong/) > [My father believed in armed struggle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hisham-matar/my-father-believed-in-armed-struggle/) [Hisham Matar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hisham-matar/) > [Our militant union with peoples which still have to carry on an armed struggle against the colonialists constitutes an important element of our line…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonid-brezhnev/our-militant-union-with-peoples-which-still-have-to-carry-on-an-armed/) [Leonid Brezhnev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonid-brezhnev/) > [The IRA has abandoned its armed struggle in pursuit of its goals by political means. This must be fully acknowledged. Continued challenge does nothing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-t-walsh/the-ira-has-abandoned-its-armed-struggle-in-pursuit-of-its-goals-by/) [James T. Walsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-t-walsh/) > [In the past I have defended the right of the IRA to engage in armed struggle. I did so because there was no alternative…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerry-adams/in-the-past-i-have-defended-the-right-of-the-ira-to-engage-in-armed/) [Gerry Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerry-adams/) > [Armed struggle is a necessary and morally correct form of resistance in the Six Counties against a government whose presence is rejected by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerry-adams/armed-struggle-is-a-necessary-and-morally-correct-form-of-resistance/) [Gerry Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerry-adams/) > [I don't accept armed struggle. Maybe it was the way in the '50s and '60s, but we want a democratic revolution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evo-morales/i-don-t-accept-armed-struggle-maybe-it-was-the-way-in-the-50s-and-60s/) [Evo Morales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evo-morales/) [Browse all 19 Armed struggle quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/armed-struggle/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Without armed struggle neither the proletariat, nor the people, nor the Communist Party would have any standing at all in China and it would be impossible for the revolution to triumph. In these years [the eighteen years since the founding of the Party] the development, consolidation and bolshevization of our Party have proceeded in the midst of revolutionary wars; without armed struggle the Communist Party would assuredly not be what it is today. 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