Two Alliances in the United Front and Their Relationships

During the period of the New-Democratic Revolution, the scope of the United Front mainly included the working class, the peasantry, the urban petty bourgeoisie, the national bourgeoisie and other patriots; at a certain stage, some big landlords and big bourgeoisie also took part in it. Among them, the working class was the leading class of the revolution, while the peasantry, the urban petty bourgeoisie and the national bourgeoisie were the allies of the working class.

The alliance of classes was divided into two according to the conditions: Firstly, the working masses, namely the peasantry, the urban petty bourgeoisie and the revolutionary intellectuals, were the reliable allies of the working class, especially the peasantry, which was also the great ally of the working class; the others were the non-working masses, namely the national bourgeoisie, enlightened gentry and other social forces which would cooperate with the working class, which were also complementary and important allies. This means that there were two alliances in the revolutionary united front: one was the alliance between the working class and the working masses, mainly between the workers and peasants; the other was the alliance between the working class and the non-working people.

On the basis of the practice of "two alliances" in the united front of the CPC during the period of democratic revolution, Mao Zedong first put forward the concept of "two alliances" explicitly in August 1953. He pointed out: "There are now two united fronts, two alliances. One is the alliance of the working class and the peasants; this is the foundation. The other is the alliance of the working class and the national bourgeoisie. As the peasants are laborers and not exploiters, the alliance of the working class and the peasants is a long-term one.”

In September of the same year, Mao Zedong further elaborated on the two alliances, especially on the content of the second alliance. He pointed out: "There are two alliances in China: one is the alliance of the working class with the peasantry, and the other is the alliance of the working class with the capitalists, professors, senior technical personnel, KMT generals who have come over to our side, religious leaders, democratic parties and democrats without party affiliation. Both alliances are necessary and must continue.”

In October 1955, Mao Zedong further pointed out: "The two alliances, our alliance with the peasants is principal, basic and primary, while our alliance with the bourgeoisie is temporary and secondary. To an economically backward country like ours both alliances are indispensable at present.”

Mao Zedong's theoretical principle of two alliances was an important magic weapon to guide the smooth progress of China's socialist transformation and achieve brilliant victory; after the socialist transformation was basically completed, it still belonged to the important content of Mao Zedong Thought.

In order to lead the United Front, the CPC must have correctly handled the interaction between these two alliances: Firstly, letting the development and strengthening of the first alliance, so that it could truly become the basis and dependence of the United Front; secondly, expanding the second alliance as far as possible, uniting all forces that could be united; thirdly, giving full play to the role of the two alliances, so that they could promote each other.