How unstable was China in 1936

Politically unstable

• Power of the GMD did not expand over all of China – lots of warlords only accepted GMD rule if they got to keep their private armies.

• Bad for the GMD – the CCP managed to survive by going to Yan’an.

• Jiang was a poor leader – did not delegate and had to have all military and political power in his own hands.

• Did not allow for specialists to do their job.

• By 1927 the CCP, although still considerably smaller than the GMD, had become an important political force in China.

• Xian incident 1936

Unstable Economy/Society

• Countryside was far less developed, and education was beyond the reach. Of most peasant families.

• Foot binding was outlawed in 1902 but widespread until the 1930s.

• New Life Movement – 1934

Unstable Foreign policy

• 1931 onwards – Japanese were extending their domination over Manchuria in the North

• September 1931 – Group of Japanese officers acted without authority and provoked a fight with Chinese forces near the city of Mukden.

• By 1932 – Japan controlled Manchuria (Manchukuo)

• No foreign powers would intervene despite criticism of Japanese aggression – reflective of Jiang’s inability to work with others and therefore foreign powers’ reluctance to peruse a foreign policy with him.

• Failure of the Dixie mission

Stable Political position

• Success of the Northern Expedition

• No elections were held under the GMD so they were unpopular, but they still remained with support.

• By 1936 it appeared as though Jiang had complete control over China apart from Manchuria.

• Shanghai massacre – proves that Jiang was threatened BUT also eliminated the CCP to Yan’an where they had to restart in the 40s

Stable Economy / society

• China was more secure than it had been in generations and therefore saw a period of reform and economic growth.

• Any signs of radicalisation amongst the students were ruthlessly supressed.

• Police arrested hundreds of students from 34 – 35 = stabilised Jiang’s control over society.

• One of Jiang’s/GMD’s key aims was to end the ‘unequal treaties’ – first step taken in 1928 when China regained control over its customs revenue.

Stable foreign policy

• GMD was Americas ‘main ally against the Japanese’ – February 1942