The warlord era represents the period in the history of the Republic of China from 1916 to 1928 when the country was divided by various military cliques. The Republic of China (Traditional Chinese: 中華民國; Pinyin: Zhōng huá mín guó) succeeded the Qing Dynasty in 1912, ending 2,000 years of imperial rule. ... 1916 (MCMXVI) is a leap year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar) // Events January-February January 1 - The Royal Army Medical Corps first successful blood transfusion using blood that had been stored and cooled. ... 1928 (MCMXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ...

Origins

The Qing dynasty did not have a national army but utilized regional armies and militias which lack standardization or consistency. The most powerful army was the northern based Beiyang Army which received the best in training and modern weaponry. Officers were loyal to their superiors and formed cliques based upon geography and shared academy experiences. Units were comprised of men from the same province to reduce dialectal miscommunication but fostered regionalist tendencies. The Qing Dynasty (Manchu: daicing gurun; Chinese: 清朝; pinyin: qīng cháo; Wade-Giles: ching chao), sometimes known as the Manchu Dynasty, was founded by the Manchu clan Aisin Gioro, in what is today northeast China, expanded into China proper and the surrounding territories of Inner Asia, establishing... The Beiyang Army (北洋軍 běiyáng-jūn) was a powerful and Western-appearing Chinese military force created by the Qing dynasty government in the late 19th century. ...

The Xinhai Revolution in 1911 brought widespread mutiny across southern China. Rebel troops established a provisional government in Nanjing the following year under Sun Yatsen. The revolutionaries were not strong enough to defeat the Beiyang army and continued fighting would almost certainly lead to defeat. Instead, Sun negotiated with the Beiyang commander, Yuan Shikai, to bring an end to the Qing and reunify China. In return, Yuan would become president. Yuan refused to move to Nanjing and set the capital in Beijing where his power base was secure. The Xinhai Revolution (or Hsinhai Revolution, Chinese: 辛亥革命; pinyin: Xīnhài Gémìng), named for the Chinese year of Xinhai (1911), was the overthrow (October 10, 1911-February 12, 1912) of Chinas ruling Qing Dynasty, sometimes known as the Manchu Dynasty, and the establishment of the Republic of China. ... 1911 (MCMXI) was a common year starting on Sunday (click on link for calendar). ... Nanjing (Chinese: 南京; Pinyin: ; Wade-Giles: Nan-ching; Postal System Pinyin: Nanking), is the capital of Chinas Jiangsu Province and a city with a prominent place in Chinese history and culture. ... Sun Yat-sen (November 12, 1866 - March 12, 1925) was a Chinese revolutionary leader and statesman who is considered by many to be the Father of Modern China. He had a significant influence in the overthrow of the Qing Dynasty and establishment of the Republic of China. ... Yuan Shikai in military uniform Yuan Shikai (Courtesy Weiting 慰亭; Pseudonym: Rongan 容庵 Traditional: 袁世凱; Simplified: 袁世凯; pinyin: ; Wade-Giles: Yüan Shih-kai) (September 16, 1859 – June 6, 1916) was a Chinese military official and politician during the late Qing Dynasty and the early Republic of China. ... (help· info), a city in northern China, is the capital of the Peoples Republic of China (PRC). ...

Reacting to Yuan's growing authoritarianism, the southern provinces rebelled in 1913 but was effectively crushed by Beiyang forces and replaced civil governors with military ones. In December 1915, Yuan made clear his intentions to become emperor. The southern provinces rebelled again only this time it was more serious because most Beiyang commanders abandoned Yuan. He renounced monarchy to woo back his lieutenants but by the time he died in June 1916, China was fractured politically. The North-South split would remaing during the course of the warlord era. 1913 (MCMXIII) is a common year starting on Wednesday. ... 1915 (MCMXV) was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... 1916 (MCMXVI) is a leap year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar) // Events January-February January 1 - The Royal Army Medical Corps first successful blood transfusion using blood that had been stored and cooled. ...

North

This military symbol was based on the Five Races Under One Union flag.

Yuan's death split the Beiyang army into two factions: the Anhui clique led by Duan Qirui and the Zhili clique led by Feng Guozhang. Diplomatic recognition was given to any government that ruled Beijing. Capturing this city would bring international legitimacy as well as taking foreign loans to support armies. Anhui (Chinese: 安徽; pinyin: ; Wade-Giles: An-hui; Postal System Pinyin: Ngan-hui, Anhwei or An-hwei) is a province of the Peoples Republic of China. ... Categories: Stub | 1864 births | 1936 deaths | ROC politicians | Chinese politicians ... Not to be confused with the unrelated province of Hubei Hebei (Chinese: 河北; pinyin: Hébĕi; Wade-Giles: Ho-pei; Postal System Pinyin: Hopeh), is a northern province of the Peoples Republic of China. ... Categories: 1858 births | 1919 deaths | Stub ...

Anhui clique era (1916-1920)

President Li Yuanhong was virtually sidelined by the Beiyang generals. Premier Duan Qirui dominated politics but had to work with the Zhili clique in order to maintain stability. Many provinces refused to recognize their government and called for the removal of all Beiyang generals from politics. Duan's heavy-handed efforts to push China into World War One and his secret loans from Japan led to his dismissal by Li in May 1917. Knowing that Duan was plotting against him, Li asked influential Beiyang general Zhang Xun to protect the government. Instead, Zhang restored the Qing dynasty in July. Duan toppled the monarchist putsch and was hailed as the saviour of the republic, giving him greater clout. He was able to declare war against Germany. His next task was to subdue the south but differences with the Zhili clique, which prefered negotiating, led to his resignation to save the unity of the Beiyang. President Feng Guozhang, however, had to recall Duan due to pressure from the Anhui clique. The campaign in Hunan backfired resulting in attrition, low morale, and bitterness. He resigned again in October 1918 but did every effort to sabotage peace between north and south. Duan's pro-Japanese policies backfired during the May Fourth Movement. The Zhili clique made an alliance with the Fengtian clique of Zhang Zuolin and defeated the Anhui clique in July 1920. Li Yüan-hung Li Yuanhong Sun Yat-sen and Li Yuanhong at Wuchang, China in April 1912 Li Yuanhong (黎元洪 Pinyin: Lí Yuánhóng, courtesy Songqing 宋卿, 1864 - June 3, 1928) was a Chinese general and political figure during the Qing dynasty and the republican era. ... Ypres, 1917, in the vicinity of the Battle of Passchendaele. ... 1917 (MCMXVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 13-day slower Julian calendar. ... Zhang Xun (156 - 199) was born into a middle class family in Huainan. ... Hunan (Chinese: 湖南; Hanyu Pinyin: ) is a province of China, located in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River and south of Lake Dongting (hence the name Hunan, meaning south of the lake). Hunan is sometimes called 湘 (pinyin: Xiāng) for short, after the Xiang River which runs through the province. ... 1918 (MCMXVIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. ... This article is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... Fengtian (奉天 Pinyin: Fèngtiān) is: Old name for Liaoning Province, China Old name for Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, China This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... Chang Tso-Lin (WG) (Chinese: 張作霖, pinyin: Zhāng Zuòlín) (1873 – June 4, 1928), nicknamed the Old Marshall or Mukden Tiger, was a Chinese warlord in Manchuria in the early 20th century. ... 1920 (MCMXX) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will take you to calendar) // Events January January 7 - Forces of Russian White admiral Kolchak surrender in Krasnoyarsk. ...

Zhili clique era (1920-1924)

After the death of Feng Guozhang, the Zhili clique was led by Cao Kun. The Zhili advocated federalism but it was a cynical ploy of convincing other warlords to join them. They caused the defection of KMT general Chen Jiongming by recongizing him as governor of Guangdong in 1922. The alliance with the Fengtian was only of convenience and war broke out in 1922 with Zhili driving out Fengtian forces. Cao bought the presidency in 1923 despite opposition by the Kuomintang, Fengtian, Anhui remnants, and the public. In 1924, the Zhili appeared to be on the verge of victory until Feng Yuxiang betrayed the clique, seized Beijing, and imprisoned Cao. Zhili forces were routed from the north but they kept the center. Tsao Kun (曹錕 Pinyin: Cáo Kūn) (1862-1938) was a commander in the Beiyang Army and through bribery became president of the Republic of China (on Beijing) from October 1, 1923 to November 2, 1924. ... Chinese federalism refers to political theories which argue that the Peoples Republic of China central government does or should devolve large amounts of power to local entities. ... Guangdong (Simplified Chinese: 广东; Traditional Chinese: 廣東; Hanyu Pinyin: ; Wade-Giles: Kuang-tung; Postal System Pinyin: Kwangtung or Canton Province, Jyutping: gwong2 dung1), is a province on the south coast of the Peoples Republic of China. ... 1922 (MCMXXII) was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... 1922 (MCMXXII) was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... 1923 (MCMXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ... The Chinese Nationalist Party (Traditional Chinese: 中國國民黨; Simplified Chinese: 中国国民党; Hanyu Pinyin: ; Wade-Giles: Chung1-kuo2 Kuo2-min2-tang3; Tongyong Pinyin: Jhōngguó GuómíndÇŽng), commonly known as the Kuomintang (KMT), is a conservative political party currently active in the Republic of China (ROC) on Taiwan. ... 1924 (MCMXXIV) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ... Feng Yü-hsiang (Traditional Chinese:馮玉祥, Simplified Chinese: 冯玉祥, pinyin: Féng Yùxíang; 1882-1948) was a warlord during the early years of the Republic of China. ...

Fengtian clique era (1924-1928)

The alliance between Zhang Zuolin and Feng Yuxiang was tenuous. Feng had formed his own clique called the Nationalist Army (Kuominchun/Guominjun) which was ideologically sympathetic to the southern Nationalist Party government but not a part of it. As a compromise, they gave the northern government to Duan Qirui whose Anhui clique was near extinct. Fengtian was far stronger in terms of manpower as KMC troops were stretched thinly across a vast area. Negotiations in north-south reunification went nowhere since Zhang had little in common with Sun Yatsen who died in March 1925. By December, fighting broke out after a Fengtian general defected to the KMC. Zhili general Wu Peifu decided to ally with Zhang against the traitor Feng. KMC forces were driven to the northwest but later joined the Northern Expedition of Chiang Kaishek. Zhang took over the northern government in June 1927 as troops from the National Revolutionary Army were flooding into his territory. On 3 June 1928, Zhang was assassinated by a Japanese bomb while fleeing to Manchuria. Five days later, NRA troops seize the capital and extinguished the northern government. The Chinese Nationalist Party (Traditional Chinese: 中國國民黨; Simplified Chinese: 中国国民党; Hanyu Pinyin: ; Wade-Giles: Chung1-kuo2 Kuo2-min2-tang3; Tongyong Pinyin: Jhōngguó GuómíndÇŽng), commonly known as the Kuomintang (KMT), is a conservative political party currently active in the Republic of China (ROC) on Taiwan. ... Sun Yat-sen (November 12, 1866 - March 12, 1925) was a Chinese revolutionary leader and statesman who is considered by many to be the Father of Modern China. He had a significant influence in the overthrow of the Qing Dynasty and establishment of the Republic of China. ... 1925 (MCMXXV) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will take you to calendar). ... Wu Peifu (吳佩孚) (1874–1939), was a major figure in the struggles between the warlords(軍閥) who dominated China during the years 1916 to 1927. ... The Northern Expedition (北伐) was a military campaign led by the Kuomintang (Chinese Nationalist Party) and the Communist Party of China from 1926 to 1927. ... Chiang Kai-shek (October 31, 1887–April 5, 1975) was a Chinese military and political leader who assumed the leadership of the Kuomintang (KMT) after the death of Sun Yat-sen in 1925. ... 1927 (MCMXXVII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar). ... The National Revolutionary Army (NRA) (Chinese: 國民革命軍; pinyin: guo2 min2 ge2 ming4 jun1) was the national army of the Republic of China. ... 1928 (MCMXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ... Extent of Manchuria according to Definition 1 (dark red), Definition 3 (dark red + medium red) and Definition 4 (dark red + medium red + light red) Manchuria (Manchu: Manju, Simplified Chinese: 满洲; Traditional Chinese: 滿洲; Hanyu Pinyin: ) is a name given to a vast territorial region in northeast Asia. ...

South

Chinese Nationalist Party symbol

The south was the hotbed of revolutionary activity where opposition to the Beiyang cliques were the strongest. They revolted against the Qing in 1911 and against Yuan Shikai in 1913 and 1916. Image File history File links White_sun,_blue_sky. ... Image File history File links White_sun,_blue_sky. ... The Kuomintang (KMT) or Nationalist Party of China (Traditional Chinese: 中國國民黨; Simplified Chinese: 中国国民党; pinyin: Zhōngguó Guómíndǎng; Wade-Giles: Chung-kuo Kuo-min-tang; Tongyong Pinyin: Jhongguo Guomindang; literally the National Peoples Party of China) is a conservative political party currently active in the Republic of China (ROC) on... 1911 (MCMXI) was a common year starting on Sunday (click on link for calendar). ... Yuan Shikai in military uniform Yuan Shikai (Courtesy Weiting 慰亭; Pseudonym: Rongan 容庵 Traditional: 袁世凱; Simplified: 袁世凯; pinyin: ; Wade-Giles: Yüan Shih-kai) (September 16, 1859 – June 6, 1916) was a Chinese military official and politician during the late Qing Dynasty and the early Republic of China. ... 1913 (MCMXIII) is a common year starting on Wednesday. ... 1916 (MCMXVI) is a leap year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar) // Events January-February January 1 - The Royal Army Medical Corps first successful blood transfusion using blood that had been stored and cooled. ...

Revolutionary government (1917-1926)

After the Qing restoration debacle in Beijing, several southern provinces led by Tang Jiyao and Lu Rongting refused to recognize the new Duan Qirui cabinet and parliament. Sun Yatsen gathered notable politicians, members of the previous parliaments, and southern militarists in late July 1917 to form a rival government in Guangzhou. In September, he was named generalissimo of the military government. The southern warlords assisted his regime solely to legitimize their fiefdoms and challenge Beijing. In a bid for international recognition, they too declared war against the Central Powers but failed. In July 1918, southern militarists thought Sun was given too much power and forced him to join a governing committee. He was displeased and tried to replace some of their lieutenants. Committee members Cen Chunxuan, Lin Baoyi, and Lu Rongting ousted Sun. While in exile, Sun recreated the Chinese Nationalist Party (Kuomintang). With the help of KMT general Chen Jiongming, the warlords were driven out in 1920. On May 1921, Sun was elected "extraordinary president" by a rump parliament despite protests by Chen and Tang Shaoyi who complained of its unconstitutionality. Tang left while Chen plotted with the Zhili clique to overthrow Sun in June 1922 in return for recognition of his governorship over Guangdong. Loyalists drove Chen out and Sun returned to power in March 1923. He reorganized the KMT along Leninist lines and made an alliance with the Chinese Communist Party which would be known as the First United Front. With the ouster of the Zhili clique in 1924, Sun traveled to Beijing to negotiate reunification with Kuominchun, Fengtian, and Anhui leaders. He succumbed to cancer in March 1925 which ended the talks but also initiated a power struggle within the KMT. Tang Jiyao tried to seize control of the southern government but was routed. Categories: Stub | 1864 births | 1936 deaths | ROC politicians | Chinese politicians ... Sun Yat-sen (November 12, 1866 - March 12, 1925) was a Chinese revolutionary leader and statesman who is considered by many to be the Father of Modern China. He had a significant influence in the overthrow of the Qing Dynasty and establishment of the Republic of China. ... 1917 (MCMXVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 13-day slower Julian calendar. ... Location within China Canton, China redirects here. ... European military alliances in 1915. ... 1918 (MCMXVIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. ... The Kuomintang (KMT) or Nationalist Party of China (Traditional Chinese: 中國國民黨; Simplified Chinese: 中国国民党; pinyin: Zhōngguó Guómíndǎng; Wade-Giles: Chung-kuo Kuo-min-tang; Tongyong Pinyin: Jhongguo Guomindang; literally the National Peoples Party of China) is a conservative political party currently active in the Republic of China (ROC) on... 1920 (MCMXX) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will take you to calendar) // Events January January 7 - Forces of Russian White admiral Kolchak surrender in Krasnoyarsk. ... 1921 (MCMXXI) was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... Tang Shaoyi (Chinese:唐绍仪, changed to 唐绍怡 to avoid taboo of Puyis name, later restored; Wade-Giles: Tang Shao-i; Courtesy Shaochuan 少川) (1859—1938) was a staunch supporter of Yuan Shikai, and Prime Minister of the ROC Government in 1912. ... 1922 (MCMXXII) was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... Guangdong (Simplified Chinese: 广东; Traditional Chinese: 廣東; Hanyu Pinyin: ; Wade-Giles: Kuang-tung; Postal System Pinyin: Kwangtung or Canton Province, Jyutping: gwong2 dung1), is a province on the south coast of the Peoples Republic of China. ... 1923 (MCMXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ... Vladimir Lenin in 1920 Leninism is a political and economic theory which builds upon Marxism; it is a branch of Marxism (and it has been the dominant branch of Marxism in the world since the 1920s). ... Communist Party of China flag The Communist Party of China (Simplified Chinese: 中国共产党; Traditional Chinese: 中國共産黨; pinyin: Zhōnggu ngchǎndǎng) is the ruling party of the Peoples Republic of China. ... 1924 (MCMXXIV) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1925 (MCMXXV) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will take you to calendar). ...

Northern Expedition (1926-1928)

KMT general Chiang Kai-shek emerged as the leader of the National Revolutionary Army. He set out on the long delayed Northern Expedition in the summer of 1926. NRA forces easily defeated the Zhili armies of Wu Peifu and Sun Chuanfang in central and east China. The Kuominchun and Shanxi warlord Yan Xishan joined forces with the KMT against the Fengtian. In 1927, the KMT-CCP alliance ruptured with the communists being brutally purged, which initiated the Chinese Civil War. Chiang established his capital in Nanjing but still needed to take Beijing to get international recognition. Yan Xishan, now a KMT general, occupied Beijing after the death of Zhang Zuolin. Zhang Xueliang, the new leader of Fengtian, submitted himself in return for continued rule over Manchuria. Chiang Kai-shek (October 31, 1887 – April 5, 1975) was a Chinese military and political leader who assumed the leadership of the Kuomintang (KMT) after the death of Sun Yat-sen in 1925. ... The National Revolutionary Army (NRA) (Chinese: 國民革命軍; pinyin: guo2 min2 ge2 ming4 jun1) was the national army of the Republic of China. ... The Northern Expedition (北伐) was a military campaign led by the Kuomintang (Chinese Nationalist Party) and the Communist Party of China from 1926 to 1927. ... 1926 (MCMXXVI) was a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ... Wu Peifu (吳佩孚) (1874–1939), was a major figure in the struggles between the warlords(軍閥) who dominated China during the years 1916 to 1927. ... Shanxi (Chinese: 山西; Hanyu Pinyin: ; Wade-Giles: Shan-hsi; Postal System Pinyin: Shansi) is a province in the northern part of the Peoples Republic of China. ... Yen Hsi-shan (閻錫山; pinyin: Yán Xíshān) (1883 - 1960) was a Chinese politician who served in the Republic of China government. ... 1927 (MCMXXVII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar). ... Combatants Chinese Kuomintang Chinese Communist Party Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Mao Zedong Strength Casualties {{{notes}}} The Chinese Civil War (Traditional Chinese: 國共内戰; Simplified Chinese: 国共内战; Hanyu Pinyin: ; literally Nationalist-Communist Civil War) was a conflict in China between the Kuomintang (Chinese Nationalist Party; KMT) and the Communist Party of China (CCP). ... Zhang Xueliang Zhang Xueliang or Chang Hsüeh-liang (張學良, pinyin: Zhāng Xuéliáng, English: Peter Hsueh Liang Chang) (June 3, 1901 – October 15, 2001), nicknamed the Young Marshal (少帥), became the effective ruler of Manchuria and much of Northeast China after the assassination of his father Chang Tso-lin... Extent of Manchuria according to Definition 1 (dark red), Definition 3 (dark red + medium red) and Definition 4 (dark red + medium red + light red) Manchuria (Manchu: Manju, Simplified Chinese: 满洲; Traditional Chinese: 滿洲; Hanyu Pinyin: ) is a name given to a vast territorial region in northeast Asia. ...

Nominal Reunification

By moving the capital to Nanjing, Chiang was secured in his power base. Many warlords were not defeated but co-opted into the new national government which would trouble Chiang. Feng Yuxiang and Yan Xishan rebelled in 1929. Zhang Xueliang took part in the 1936 Xi'an Incident. In addition minor warlords, bandits, ethnic minority militias, and the communists were active in the countryside and peripheral regions. 1929 (MCMXXIX) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1936 (MCMXXXVI) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ... General Zhang and Yang The Xian Incident is an important episode of Chinese modern history, which took place in the city of Xian during the Chinese Civil War. ...

An enduring legacy of this era was the injection of provincialism into national politics as characterized by Chiang's Guangdong clique, Mao Zedong's Hunan clique, and Jiang Zemin's Shanghai clique. (help· info) (December 26, 1893 – September 9, 1976; Mao Tse-tung in Wade-Giles) was the chairman of the Politburo of the Communist Party of China from 1943 and the chairman of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China from 1945 until his death. ... Hunan (Chinese: 湖南; Hanyu Pinyin: ) is a province of China, located in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River and south of Lake Dongting (hence the name Hunan, meaning south of the lake). Hunan is sometimes called 湘 (pinyin: Xiāng) for short, after the Xiang River which runs through the province. ... Jiāng Zémín (born August 17, 1926) was the core of the third generation of Communist Party of China leaders, serving as General Secretary of the Communist Party of China from 1989 to 2002, as President of the Peoples Republic of China from 1993 to 2003, and... The Shanghai clique is an informal name for officials in Chinese Communist Party especially central government of the Peoples Republic of China or CCP centre who rose to prominence in the Shanghai city administration under Jiang Zemin or used to be subordinates of Jiang. ...