During Bertrand Russell 's visit to Hunan he argued for the legitimacy of seizing power by force against Russell's reformist views. In the 1920s he concentrated on political work in his native Province and Jianxi Province. His highly pragmatic strategy was one of the main influences on Fidel Castro when in 1959 he was able to take over Cuba with Che Guevara . Mao recognized the revolutionary potential of the peasantry when Marx and Lenin had seen in their urban doctrine the working class as the leading revolutionary force. However, when first articulated, these views were rejected by the Party in favor of orthodox policy.
Peaks pierce the green sky, unblunted.
The sky would fall but for the columns of mountains. Under Comitern policy of cooperating with the Nationalists, Mao held important posts with the Guomingdang. Following the Guomindang massacre of Communist in 1927, Mao established a base in Jiangxi Province, where he had his first experiences directing a purge against dissidents. After the break with the Nationalist Party Mao started the guerrilla tactics, but in 1934 the Nationalist government destroyed the Jiangxi Soviet, and the Communist forces started the legendary retreat and the Long March. In 1935 Mao's political power increased when he was elected Chairman of the Politburo.