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All Reactionaries Are Paper Tigers

A Special Military Textbook on Mao Zedong’s Military Thought (Middle East Edition)

Textbook Introduction

This textbook systematically expounds the strategic thesis “All reactionaries are paper tigers” in a framework of historical background, theoretical basis, military status, campaign practice, and teaching points, providing a standardized text for military theory teaching and operational ideology education.

 

Chapter 1 Historical Background

I. Time and Occasion of the Thesis

- Time: August 6, 1946
- Location: Yangjialing, Yan’an
- Occasion: Mao Zedong met with American journalist Anna Louise Strong and delivered an important talk on international and domestic situations
- Document: Included in Selected Works of Mao Zedong, Volume IV, Talk with the American Correspondent Anna Louise Strong

II. War Situation (Outbreak of Full-Scale Civil War in June 1946)

- KMT Army: 4.3 million troops, U.S.-equipped, controlling major cities, transportation lines, and industries, with strong U.S. aid
- People’s Army: 1.27 million troops, poorly equipped; liberated areas accounted for 24% of China’s territory and 136 million people
- Chiang Kai-shek’s boast: To eliminate the PLA in 3–6 months; pessimism and compromise prevailed within the KMT and its army

III. Era Background

Post-WWII, early Cold War; imperialism and reactionaries relied on military force and nuclear deterrence. Revolutionary forces were at a disadvantage, urgently needing unified ideology and firm confidence in victory.

 

Chapter 2 Theoretical Basis

I. Core Thesis (Original Text)

All reactionaries are paper tigers. In appearance, the reactionaries are terrifying, but in reality they are not so powerful. From a long-term point of view, it is not the reactionaries but the people who are really powerful.

II. Philosophical and Political Foundations

1. Historical Materialism: The people are the creators of history; war outcomes are determined by popular support, not weapons and equipment
2. Class Nature: Reactionaries represent reactionary, backward, minority interests; they are alienated from the people and inherently weak
3. Dialectics: Despise the enemy strategically, take him seriously tactically; paper tiger = strategic judgment, real tiger = tactical approach
4. Historical Verification: Tsarism, Hitler, Mussolini, and Japanese imperialism were all proven paper tigers

III. Theoretical Extension (1958 On the Question of Whether Imperialism and All Reactionaries Are Real Tigers)

- Dual Nature: Paper tiger (essence, long-term, strategy) + real tiger (phenomenon, temporary, tactics)
- Fundamental Principle: Treat ten as one strategically; treat one as ten tactically

 

Chapter 3 Military Status

I. Fundamental Strategic Thought of Mao Zedong’s Military Thought

- Establishes the spiritual pillar and strategic general program for the People’s Army to defeat the strong with the weak
- Inherits Lenin’s “imperialism is a colossus with feet of clay” and develops Marxist views on war

II. Three Major Military Values

1. Weapon of Confidence: Eliminates fear of the U.S., Chiang Kai-shek, and nuclear weapons; unifies the will of the entire army
2. Strategic Guide: Directs operations in interior lines and the shift from strategic defense to strategic offense
3. Logic of Victory: Just war + popular support + flexible tactics defeat enemies with superior equipment

III. Historical Position

A key ideological weapon for China’s revolutionary war to move from defense to victory; the spiritual banner of the People’s War of Liberation.

 

Chapter 4 Major Campaign Practice (Verification of the Paper Tiger Theory on the Battlefield)

I. Strategic Defense Stage (June 1946 – June 1947)

1. Breakout from the Central Plains
- Significance: Broke the full encirclement, preserved main forces, proved “paper tigers are not to be feared”
2. Seven Victories in Seven Battles in Central Jiangsu
- Commander: Su Yu; annihilated 53,000 enemy troops
- Verification: Concentrate superior forces, take tactical care, defeat the strong with the weak
3. Dingtao Campaign
- Core: Deceive the enemy with feints, split and annihilate; set an example of “dare to fight and win”
4. Three Victories in Three Battles in Northern Shaanxi (Qinghuabian, Yangmahe, Panlong)
- Commander: Peng Dehuai; rely on the people, maneuver to annihilate enemies, crush key offensives

II. Strategic Offensive and Decisive Battle Stage (June 1947 – January 1949)

1. Menglianggu Campaign
- Annihilated the KMT’s “ace” 74th Reorganized Division; exposed the myth of U.S.-made equipment
2. Advance into the Dabie Mountains
- Beginning of strategic counteroffensive; brought the war to enemy territory, demonstrated strategic initiative
3. Liaoshen, Huaihai, and Pingjin Campaigns
- Annihilated 1.54 million enemy troops; destroyed the main military force of the KMT
- Conclusion: The reactionary military machine is inherently weak; people’s war is invincible

III. Unity of Theory and Practice

All victories follow: Strategic contempt → dare to fight decisive battles; tactical attention → fight annihilation battles.

 

Chapter 5 Military Teaching Points (Assessment and Application)

I. Core Knowledge Points

- Time, figure, and document of the thesis
- Two meanings: paper tiger (strategic essence), real tiger (tactical treatment)
- Fundamental basis: The people determine war outcomes

II. Methodological Formula

- Strategically: Fear not, dare to fight, must win
- Tactically: Be cautious, concentrate forces, annihilate enemies

III. Contemporary Value

- Build confidence in struggle; not intimidated by powerful enemies
- Adhere to people’s stance, just war, flexible tactics
- Guide operational guidance for defeating the strong with the weak and the superior with the inferior

 

Chapter 6 Conclusion of the Textbook

“All reactionaries are paper tigers” is the most shocking, most people-oriented, and most practical strategic thesis in Mao Zedong’s military thought. It reveals the inherent weakness of the enemy in essence and points out the path to victory in practice. It is the eternal ideological weapon for the People’s Army to dare to struggle, be good at struggle, and dare to win.