Summary
Mao Zedong's "On Protracted War" argues that China's war against Japan is a protracted war, meaning it will be long and arduous, but ultimately winnable for China. This is because the war's strategic situation dictates a protracted course, influenced by factors such as the relative strength of the belligerents and the international context. Mao posits that while Japan has superior military might in the short term, China's strategic advantages—including its vast territory, large population, and the justice of its cause—will enable it to outlast and defeat the invader through sustained resistance.
The book lays out a strategy for conducting this protracted war, emphasizing the importance of mobilizing the masses and engaging in guerrilla warfare alongside regular warfare. Mao presents the concept of "strategic offense in a tactical defense," suggesting that while China is strategically on the defensive, it can achieve tactical victories to wear down the enemy over time. Readers learn Mao's blueprint for transforming a seemingly disadvantageous military position into a path for eventual victory through strategic planning and popular mobilization.
Key concepts
- Protracted War — The central thesis that the Sino-Japanese War will be a long and arduous conflict, but one that China can ultimately win.
- Strategic Offense in a Tactical Defense — A military strategy where a militarily weaker force, while strategically defensive, can achieve tactical victories to wear down the enemy.
- Mobilization of the Masses — The principle of engaging and organizing the entire population as a vital resource for sustaining the war effort.
- Guerrilla Warfare — A tactic of irregular warfare involving ambushes, sabotage, and other hit-and-run tactics, crucial for a protracted conflict.