Revolutionary Unity in 1920s China: The Legacy of Sun Yat-sen

Overview

The death of Sun Yat-sen in 1925 marked a significant turning point in Chinese history, as his political legacy facilitated cooperation between the Nationalists (KMT) and Communists. His will emphasized unfinished revolutionary goals, paving the way for both ideological camps to gain momentum through peasant support and military advances against warlords. By 1927, a semblance of national unity under KMT leadership was achieved, supported by anti-imperialist movements that led to concessions from foreign powers like Britain.

Context

Sun Yat-sen, the founding father of modern China, passed away in 1925 after laying down a vision for continued revolution. His death occurred amid a period of intense political and social upheaval following the fall of the Qing Dynasty in 1911. The early 20th century saw China fragmented by warlordism and struggling against foreign imperialism. The Kuomintang (KMT), led initially by Sun Yat-sen himself, aimed to unify China under a strong central government. Meanwhile, the Communist Party of China was growing in strength among rural populations, advocating for land reform and peasant rights. These two groups were temporarily united under Sun’s vision but began diverging after his death.

Timeline

• 1925: Death of Sun Yat-sen.
• 1926–1927: Communist advances in winning peasant support across certain provinces.
• 1926–1927: KMT-led revolutionary army makes progress against warlords, leading to a semblance of national unity.
• 1927: Major anti-imperialist boycott of British goods leads to concessions at Hankow and Kiukiang.
• 1922: Britain returns the naval base at Wei-hai-wei to China.
• 1924: United States renounces its share of the Boxer indemnity.

Key Terms and Concepts

Sun Yat-sen (1866–1925): A Chinese revolutionary, political theorist, physician, and geographer. He founded the KMT in 1912 after leading the Xinhai Revolution that overthrew China’s last imperial dynasty.

• Warlordism: The period from 1916 to 1928 when regional military leaders held power over parts of China without a strong central government.
• Kuomintang (KMT): A nationalist political party in China, founded by Sun Yat-sen. It played a significant role in the unification and modernization of China during the early 20th century.
• Peasant Support: The backing given by rural farmers to revolutionary movements or governments due to land reform policies or promises.
• Communist Party of China (CPC): Founded in 1921, it advocated for Marxist-Leninist principles and sought to transform Chinese society through revolution.
• Anti-imperialism: A political ideology that opposes foreign imperial powers controlling domestic affairs.

Key Figures and Groups

Sun Yat-sen: Founder of the KMT, instrumental in overthrowing the Qing Dynasty. His vision continued to influence China after his death.

• Kuomintang (KMT): Under Sun’s guidance, it aimed for national unification but later diverged from communist allies post-Sun’s death.
• Communist Party of China (CPC): Grew in strength among peasants advocating for land reform and workers’ rights. Initially allied with KMT under Sun’s vision.
• Warlords: Regional military leaders who controlled territories during the interregnum between the Qing Dynasty and the establishment of a stable national government.

Mechanisms and Processes

-> Warlordism -> Fragmentation of China -> Emergence of KMT -> Collaboration with CPC -> Peasant Support -> Anti-imperialist Movements -> Concessions from Foreign Powers

• Warlordism led to regional instability, weakening central authority.
• This fragmentation allowed the KMT, under Sun Yat-sen’s leadership, to emerge as a unifying force.
• The KMT and CPC collaborated temporarily based on shared revolutionary goals.
• Peasants provided crucial support to both parties through land reform initiatives.
• Anti-imperialist sentiment fueled boycotts against foreign goods.
• Foreign concessions were made due to growing Chinese resistance.

Deep Background

The Boxer Rebellion in 1900 and the subsequent Boxer Protocol imposed heavy indemnities on China, leading to economic strain. This period saw increasing foreign control over trade routes and concessions within China’s territory. Sun Yat-sen’s vision of a unified nation under the KMT was influenced by these conditions. His Three Principles (Nationalism, Democracy, Livelihood) aimed at restoring Chinese sovereignty and social reform.

Explanation and Importance

Sun Yat-sen’s death left his political movement divided but also energized as his will emphasized unfinished revolutionary tasks. The KMT and CPC worked together to combat warlordism and foreign imperialism, gaining significant support from peasants through land reforms and anti-imperialist movements. By 1927, the KMT had established a semblance of national unity under Chiang Kai-shek’s leadership, with reduced foreign influence due to concessions in Hankow and Kiukiang.

Comparative Insight

The period following Sun Yat-sen’s death can be compared to revolutionary movements in Russia post-Tsar Nicholas II. Both saw temporary alliances between nationalist and communist groups aiming to overthrow existing regimes and establish new governments. However, the divergent paths taken by these alliances eventually led to internal conflicts within both countries.

Extended Analysis

National Unification Efforts: The KMT’s primary goal was unifying China under a central government, moving away from warlordism.

• Anti-imperialist Movements: These movements aimed at reducing foreign influence and reclaiming sovereignty over Chinese territories.
• Peasant Support for Revolutionaries: Land reform policies were crucial in gaining peasant support against feudal landlords and warlords.
• Sino-Western Relations: Concessions from British and American powers indicated a shift towards more favorable relations with China.

Quiz

Open Thinking Questions

• How might China’s history have been different if foreign powers had not conceded territory and concessions post-1925?
• What were the long-term consequences of the divergence between the KMT and CPC after Sun Yat-sen’s death?

Conclusion

The period from 1925 to 1927 marks a crucial transition in Chinese history, with national unification efforts under the KMT and reduced foreign influence through anti-imperialist movements. These developments set the stage for future conflicts between rival political ideologies within China.