Shanghai “Marxist Research Society” Is Probably the Socialist Research Association (Society)

ZENG Jingzhong

(Institute of Modern History, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Beijing 100101)

Abstract: With regard to the early founding of the CPC in Shanghai in 1920, it is generally said that the “Marxist Research Society” was established first, and then the Party. The statement that the “Marxist Research Society” established in Shanghai is originated from the memoirs of some participants in founding the Party. But some memoirs deny the establishment of the “Marxist Research Society”. Some memoirs state that the Communist Party organization was first established and then the “Marxist Research Society”. And some memories suggest that the Socialist Research Society was established before the CPC. As an empirical proof, the copyright page of the first Chinese version of The Communist Manifesto translated by Chen Wangdao shows that it was printed by the Socialist Research Association. The meaning of “Socialist Research Society” is similar to that of “Socialist Research Association” (both “association” and “society” in Russian are общество). The so-called Shanghai “Marxist Research Society” probably refers to the Socialist Research Association (Society) during the early founding of the CPC.

Key Words: establishment of the CPC; Shanghai “Marxist Research Society”; Socialist Research Society; Socialist Research Association