341. Chairman Mao: The Clash With Stalin (Ep 4)

Empire: World History

Goalhanger

History

4.5 • 5.4K Ratings

🗓️ 12 March 2026

⏱️ 46 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Mao has declared that China is a communist republic. How did life change for ordinary people living in this new nation? To what extent was Mao’s China modelled on the USSR, and how did Mao and Stalin feel about each other? And how did Mao destroy the pillars of traditional culture and violently purge “class enemies”? William and Anita are joined once again by Rana Mitter, author of A Bitter Revolution: China’s Struggle with the Modern World, and Modern China: A Very Short Introduction, to discuss The Great Leap Forward and its consequences. Try Attio for free at attio.com/empire Join the Empire Club: Unlock the full Empire experience – with bonus episodes, ad-free listening, early access to miniseries and live show tickets, exclusive book discounts, a members-only newsletter, and access to our private Discord chatroom. Sign up directly at empirepoduk.com For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com. Email: empire@goalhanger.com Instagram: @empirepoduk Blue Sky: @empirepoduk X: @empirepoduk Editor: Bruno Di Castri Researcher: Imogen Marriott Assistant Producer: Alfie Norris Producer: Anouska Lewis Executive Producer: Dom Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	If you want access to bonus episodes reading lists for every series of Empire, a chat community.
0:06.8	Discounts for all the books mentioned in the week's podcast, add free listening and a weekly newsletter,
0:12.5	sign up to Empire Club at www.empowerpod.uk.com.
0:19.1	What I've dedicated my life to is revenge.
0:23.6	A brand new drama based on the best-selling novel.
0:26.6	They think they're better than us.
0:27.6	Who do you think you are?
0:28.6	I'm going to prove to them that they're wrong.
0:30.6	She's punishing me.
0:31.6	You destroyed my family.
0:33.6	I will not rest until I've destroyed yours.
0:35.6	A woman of substance on Channel 4 starts tonight at 9.
0:40.6	In this episode, we ask how Mazi Dong transformed a devastated nation into an industrial power.
0:48.1	This is a story of economic ambition, social transformation and totalitarian power.
0:55.0	But it's also a story of tragedy.
0:58.0	Join us as we discuss the first turbulent decade of the People's Republic of China. Hello and welcome to Empire with me, Anita Arnand.
1:19.7	And me, William Durumple.
1:21.7	And we are delighted to welcome back the veteran of the long Empire Pod March,
1:33.2	Professor Rana Mitter of the Harvard Kennedy School, and author of the brilliant, bitter revolution.
1:36.6	China's struggle with the modern world. Rana, welcome back.
1:40.5	Great to be here, Will. And at some point, I assume you're going to let me out of the room, but maybe not just yet.
1:46.4	Not yet, no, because you know what, we can't. Because we're continuing our series on Mao.
	...

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