Notes
Background to 1919
- China lost Sino-Japanese war in 1894-1895
- European’s cretae open door policy
- Provoked nationalist outburst in China (Boxer Rebellion)
- Society of Righteous and Harmonious Fists attacked foreigners
- 1911 Sun Yat Sen led revolution to rid China of foreigners
- Becomes first president of the Republic of China
- Led the Kuomintang
- Had trouble getting foreign aid because they were socialist (except USSR)
- Wanted to establish a socialist democracy
- Country was dominated by warlords
- Became leader of the Kuomintang in 1925 after Sun Yat Sen died
- Communist, Mao Zedong, was leader of propaganda
- Soon controlled all of China south of the Yangste River
- Rid his party of Communists, killed many while others like Mao fled to remote parts of China
Summary
Chiang's predecessor, Sun Yat-sen, was well-liked and respected by the Communists, but after Sun's death Chiang was not able to maintain good relations with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). A major split between the Nationalists and Communists occurred in 1927; and, under Chiang's leadership, the Nationalists fought a nation-wide civil war against the Communists. After Japan invaded China in 1937, Chiang agreed to a temporary truce with the CCP.
Quote
"Democracy is liberty - a liberty which does not infringe on the liberty nor encroach on the rights of others; a liberty which maintains strict discipline, and makes law its guarantee and the basis of its exercise. This alone is true liberty; this alone can produce true democracy." -Chiang
Subjunctive Question
How was Chiang looked at from his people? Did they respect him, or hated him for his attempt to establish socialist democracy?